Most holidays have their hazards for pets, but the 4th of July can be especially bad because it tends to be celebrated outdoors, often with pets. Here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, we are happy to help you with any questions you might have for pet ideas for the holiday. To get you started, these are some of the hazards to look out for during the holiday.

Heat

This hazard encompasses a couple of different issues: the temperature in the area where your pet is celebrating the holiday, and the presence of things like hot grills and barbeques. Because the 4th of July is often celebrated outdoors, it is important to be conscious of the temperature for your pet. It is also important to keep them away from hot surfaces, especially if they smell like good food.

People Food

Besides the heat of the grill, there is another hazard related to Independence Day food. Many human foods are dangerous for pets, including onions, grapes, and chocolate. Fatty meats can also be a hazard in large quantities. To avoid problems, keep your pet confined away from the food or under constant supervision.

Fireworks

Many pets are terrified by fireworks, which is why Independence Day is typically not a pet holiday favorite. The loud noises and sights can scare pets into fleeing from their homes, and this can result in the winding up lost or on the roads. Be sure to secure your pets before the fireworks start, especially if you know they are scared of loud noises.

Parasites and Pests

Especially if you are celebrating at a park or other outdoor area, there may be fleas and ticks in the environment. Because you don't want your pet holiday to end with a visit to the veterinarian for parasite treatment, it is best to prepare by using an effective preventative product. Our veterinarian can advise you if you aren't sure which product to choose.

Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton is Here to Help

Whether you need guidance about the best parasite preventative or just want to make sure that you have all the information about which people foods are dangerous, Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton can help. Our veterinarian has lots of experience with pet ideas for the holiday if you have questions. Call us at 770-479-1905 today!

Heat stroke is a serious problem in pets, and it can come on very quickly under certain conditions. Being stuck in a hot car or playing vigorously on a hot day can cause your pet to overheat within a few minutes.

Signs of Heat Stress

The first sign that a dog or cat is too hot is panting, but this alone doesn't mean that the heat level is dangerously high. Instead, take it as a sign that you should start watching closely for other evidence of heat-related distress.

Excess salivation, in the form of thick, ropey drool, is the next sign of overheating. It's a good idea to take active steps to cool your dog or cat at this point.

Weakness and collapse are signs of an emergency situation. Take immediate steps to cool your pet, including getting the animal wet and offering water. If air conditioning is immediately available, bring the pet into the cooled area. Seek help from an emergency veterinarian if your pet has collapsed.

In light-colored animals, the gums and tongue may become bright red. This is another sign of emergency levels of overheating.

Preventing Heat Injury in Pets

As is often noted, it is essential to avoid leaving your cat or dog in the car during the daytime. Even if it is only 70 degrees outside and the car is in the shade, it takes just a half-hour for it to reach the triple digits inside the car while the sun is up. If it is hotter outside, that half-hour turns into minutes.

You should also take care to make sure that your pet doesn't play too vigorously in the heat. Wait until evening for long or hard play sessions. Also, if you know that there will be something exciting going on, like fireworks, put your pet in a room where the noise won't be as loud.

Contact Our Local Veterinarian Today

For more pet tips, give us a call here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, GA. We'll be glad to help.

Preventing parasites in your pet requires a multi-pronged approach thanks to the wide variety of organisms that would otherwise infest it. Your pet can be attacked from outside and within, and each invader brings its own risks of diseases, blood loss, and distress. Some of these diseases and types of distress can affect you and your human family as well.

What is Heartworm Disease?

This is a disease caused by the presence of heartworms in your pets. The worms live in the heart, lungs, and pulmonary arteries, and these essential parts can be clogged by them. Even when there aren't yet that many invaders, the heart, and lungs work less efficiently and the pet is debilitated. When enough worms build up, the pet will die.

Heartworm treatment for existing disease involves several rounds of medication and may even require the pet to be hospitalized. The worms can't all be eliminated at once or else a fatal clog can develop in the blood vessels. Overall, it can cost over $1,000 to eliminate an infestation.

Because of the cost and difficulty of eliminating an infestation, prevention must be a top priority. Fortunately, all it usually takes to prevent heartworm disease is giving your dog or cat an inexpensive treat-like medicated chew once a month. These medications are flavored so that they are tasty to animals and are readily accepted. There are different ones for cats, dogs, and specific breeds of dogs. Since they need a vet's prescription to obtain, you don't have to worry about which ones to get.

Other Parasites

Many other parasites will also see your pet as their home and meal ticket if they are allowed to. Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, fleas, ticks, and more are all looking for a free ride. Because of this, modern veterinary parasite medications typically cover multiple species of pests. Flea and tick prevention medications, for example, usually prevent many kinds of worms as well. The same is true of heartworm preventives.

To a happy cat owner, the sound of a cat purring is one of the most pleasant sounds in the world. Cat purring is a soft, gentle sound that many cats make openly and freely. But what is a purr? How do cats make this sound? And what does it mean? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you understand your cat and know when your cat is happy.

Early Purring Noises

Cats first purr as kittens with their mother. It's believed that purring is a way for the kitten to signal to the mother that he or she is present and needs attention. Mother cats purr back at their kittens to signal their presence and to help kittens become familiar with all of their sounds.

Adult Cat Purring

As cats grow up and become more independent from their mothers, they continue to purr when they are happy, content or in the presence of another who makes them feel pleasure. Once a cat becomes attached to an owner or human, cats often purr when being petted or when laying next to their owner.

Adult cat purring is a way to signal that they like what is happening and they want it to continue. Purring noises are made when the cat inhales and exhales. Purring seems to come from the use of internal laryngeal muscles. This is probably why cats who have laryngeal paralysis can't purr at all!

Contact Your Pet's Vet in Canton for Veterinarian Care

Want to know more about your cat's behaviors? Contact your pet's vet in Canton. Knowing more about your cat's sounds and body language can help you take care of your pet. Call us today for an appointment at 770-479-1905.

You love your dog and want the very best for him. Your canine family member relies on you to keep him healthy and safe throughout his lifetime. When dogs get older, their needs change and it's important to choose food, health and a lifestyle that is appropriate for your pet's age.

The following are frequently asked questions about senior dogs and senior dog care.

When Is My Dog Considered A Senior?

Much depends on the size of your pet. Typically smaller dogs have a longer lifespan than larger breeds. For example, a seven-year-old small dog would be considered between 44 to 47 years of age, while a large dog at seven years old would be considered 50 to 56 years of age. It is safe to say that by the time your dog is ten years old, regardless of breed, he is a senior. Very large breeds such as Great Danes or Saint Bernard's would be considered seniors as young as six human years of age.

What Problems Can My Senior Dog Have?

Just like humans, dogs age and their bodies and minds change. You'll see many of the same problems in older dogs as you would see in older humans. Some common issues include:

Arthritis

Heart disease

Cancer

Kidney/Urinary tract problems

Weakness

Lack of energy

Vision problems

Dental decay and disease

Weakness

Many of these problems can be prevented or minimized with excellent diet and health care.

How Can I Help My Senior Dog Stay Healthy Longer?

A healthy diet, exercise and regular checkups at the veterinarian are great ways to ensure your dog stays healthy well into old age. It's important when your dog becomes older that you find a good vet for senior pets and that you schedule visits more frequently. This will help you catch any problems quickly so they can be addressed. Preventing obesity and tooth decay are two major considerations as well as keeping your older dog active. Your senior dog has different nutritional needs than she did when she was younger, so you'll need to modify her diet. Also, most dogs need less food as they get older.

Can My Dog Become Senile?

Yes. Your senior dog can struggle with senility and depression. You can prevent or reduce this by keeping your pet stimulated with lots of activity and attention. Dogs who spend a great deal of time alone in a non-stimulating environment are more susceptible. If your pet is exhibiting signs of depression, confusion or other odd behavioral issues, contact your veterinarian.

Schedule an Appointment with our Canton Veterinarian

To learn more about caring for your senior pet, contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic at (770) 479-1905 and schedule an appointment. We are happily accepting new clients at our friendly clinic. If you are looking for a new vet for your senior pets, we have you covered. We are also a feline-friendly facility.

As a pet owner, you want to do all that you can to make sure you are a good pet owner. This means that you will want to research the new pet you own, including how to take care of it and what to feed it. Fortunately, there are several tips you can follow if you are the new owner of a puppy. For now, let's take a quick look at these tips.

Feeding Your New Puppy

Puppies don't eat the same type of food as bigger dogs. In fact, there are special types of puppy food that you will want to invest in. Just like newborn babies, puppies need special vitamins and nutrients. When you invest in puppy food, you can rest assured that your puppy is getting the nutritious food that it needs to grow into a happy and healthy dog.

Puppy Exercise

Also important for your puppy is making sure that he gets plenty of exercise. You want your puppy to grow into a strong dog, and getting in plenty of exercise is an excellent way to accomplish this goal. Taking your puppy out for a walk at least once a day is a perfect way to incorporate daily exercise into his routine.

Potty Training Your Puppy

You will want to start as soon as possible to potty train your puppy. As you have likely heard, potty training a puppy can be very difficult and time-consuming. But, if you stick with it, most puppies can be potty trained in as little as a week's time.

Schedule an Appointment with our Canton Veterinarian

If you would like to learn more about training your puppy and being the best puppy owner you can be, please contact a veterinarian today. Our Canton veterinarian from Acres Mill Vet can be of the utmost help.

Kittens are adorable, playful little creatures. But they also require care and love when they are still young. If you have just adopted a kitten that is only a few months old, here are a few of the tips you will want to follow after adopting your new baby.

Take the Kitten to Your Vet

It is recommended that you bring a kitten to the vet within 48 hours of bringing them home. A vet can ensure they don't have parasites, are in good health and give them any vaccinations and health care they may need.

Don't Upset Their Stomach

You may not like the food that the previous owner was feeding the kitten. But you cannot just abruptly change their food. Begin by feeding them what they are used to, and slowly begin to mix in the food they prefer. Every day, add in a little more of your preferred brand until eventually, the entire bowl is what you prefer. This helps to ensure the kitten's belly does not get upset with a sudden change. And speaking of eating, kittens should be fed at least three times a day, whereas an adult cat only needs to be fed twice a day.

Get Your Kitten to Play

The last tip for caring for your new kitten is to teach them to play early on. Having them chase balls, feathers or string stimulates them and provides them with exercise. If they are not taught early on in life, they may never develop the skills and instead, may become lazy sedentary cats.

Bring Your Kitten to Our Vet Canton Clinic for Health Care

New kittens are cute and playful, but they also need the proper care to ensure they thrive and remain healthy. If you have not yet taken your kitten to be vaccinated or for their initial check-up, Acres Mills Veterinary Clinic in Canton, Georgia is here for you and your new pet. Book your appointment now by calling us at 770-479-1905.

]]>Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:53:16 -0800http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_87717_what_to_do_if_your_cat_and_puppy_dont_get_along.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_87717_what_to_do_if_your_cat_and_puppy_dont_get_along.htmlWhat to Do If Your Cat and Puppy Don't Get Along in Canton, GA

If you love animals, you may bring home a new pet. Introducing this new pet to your existing pets can be challenging. If you have brought home a new puppy and your cat does not get along with the puppy after a brief period of time, you may wonder what to do next. Here are a few of the things you should do if your cat and puppy don't get along.

Allow Your Cat to Hide

When you bring a new puppy home, the puppy is going to be full of energy, while your existing cat may be leery. One of the worst things you can do is force your cat and dog to be in the same space. Allow your cat to run off or hide so he or she can observe the dog from a distance or slowly become more comfortable.

Separate Their Spaces

Another important thing to do is to separate their spaces for the time being. This means that you give each pet a defined area to eat, drink and use the bathroom. To force your cat to drink by the dog's food will not help your cat like the dog any better, especially if the dog is always jumping on them. Likewise, don't place the dog's food by your cat’s food if the cat is hissing at your dog.

Reward Good Behavior

The last tip is to reward good behavior. Pet, play or give treats when your cat and dog get along. Slowly but surely they should realize the other isn't the enemy and that they will have to learn to co-exist. Rewarding good behavior gives them a reward, which may entice them to act right in the future.

Get in Touch with Our Canton Vet for Cat and Dog Behavior Problems or Questions

If your cat and puppy don't get along and you have tried everything you can think of, consider scheduling an appointment with a veterinarian in Canton to rule out any health issues and to get advice on how to proceed. When you are in this position, Acres Mill Veterinarian Clinic is here for you.

Call us today at 770-479-1905 to schedule an appointment.

]]>Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:38:12 -0800http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_87716_how_to_get_your_dog_not_to_pull_on_a_leash.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_87716_how_to_get_your_dog_not_to_pull_on_a_leash.htmlHow to Get Your Dog Not to Pull on a Leash

Walking on a leash is one of the most unnatural things that a dog can do. Unlike other behaviors like 'sit' or 'down', where the dog only has to figure out that you are associating a word (the command) with an action they already know how to do, loose leash walking requires your dog to learn how to perform a totally new action.

Our Canton vet knows that unfortunately, it can also be hard to be consistent when practicing loose leash walking, which makes the process even slower.

Methods of Teaching Your Dog Not to Pull on Leash

Several different methods exist to teach your dog not to pull on a leash, many of which can be used together:

Stop and freeze when your dog pulls, then praise and resume forward movement when they loosen the leash just the tiniest bit.

Reward your dog when they are near you, whether they are paying attention or not.

Reward your dog whenever they look at you.

Engage your dog with a happy voice and eye contact when you really need them near you.

Avoid rewarding pulling by being careful not to let your dog access things that they want (smells, other dogs, people) until the leash is loose.

Tips for Making Training Successful

Be consistent. If your dog sometimes gets what they want by pulling, they will keep trying.

To make consistency possible, consider implementing a device that they are NEVER allowed to pull on (maybe a flat collar) and a device that allows you to control them the rest of the time (a front-clip harness or head halter). This allows you to be 100 percent consistent when they are on the flat collar but still get a walk in.

Another option is to be 100 percent consistent for the first and last five minutes of your walk, and increase that time by a minute or two each week until you can get the whole walk in.

Don't pull back. Dogs (and humans) pull into pressure, so this just makes things worse. Instead, freeze in place and wait for your dog to let up, even if it takes a while.

Be unpredictable. A walk doesn't have to go in a straight line, and your dog will pay more attention if they learn that you randomly change directions from time to time. Cue this change of direction with a word or a phrase such as "This way!"

Loose-Leash Walking Equipment

There are no quick fixes in loose-leash walking, but equipment can be a saving grace that allows a big strong dog to be walked while being trained. Front-clip harnesses are easily accepted by most dogs, while head halters give more control but require you to spend more time getting your dog used to them. Prong collars, shock collars, and choke chains are not recommended because they can cause fear or aggression even in dogs with no previous history.

Our Canton Vet Cares about All Aspects of Your Pet

Pets that can't behave often find themselves homeless, and our Canton vet cares about all aspects of life for your furry friend. Proper training that relies on telling your dog when they are good with praise, toys, and treats, as well as denying them access to what they want when they are bad, is an important tool in molding your dog into a great family member.

Contact us today at 770-479-1905 to make an appointment for your great family member with Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, GA.

Learning to interpret canine body language can help you communicate more effectively with your pet and can help you provide for his or her needs. Dogs will often lift one of their front paws in a gesture that owners may find hard to interpret. Your Canton vet provides an answer to this question.

The Anxious Paw Lift

The lifting of a front paw can be a sign of stress or fear. The animal may be facing a situation in which he or she feels insecure or even threatened. In these cases, lifting the paw is a signal of uncertainty, and owners should try to reassure the animals they are not under threat. A calm tone and gentle encouragement will help your dog feel more at ease.

The Anticipation Paw Lift

A paw lift can also have a happy connotation. Your dog may lift a paw when he or she sees a treat in your hand. This gesture means your dog is anticipating something good about to happen.

The Focused Paw Lift

The focused paw lift is often seen in hunting breeds. It denotes a state of complete focused attention on an object. You will be able to see the tension in the animal’s body. The dog is ready to give chase or retrieve.

Make Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic Your Canton Vet for Canine Behavior

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we believe in providing the highest quality care for our patients in Canton, GA. We offer state-of-the-art equipment and the most current techniques to ensure your pet’s health throughout life. We can also provide counseling on behavioral issues.

Contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today at 770-383-1182 for an appointment to get answers to questions about your dog’s behavior, so you can provide the best care and environment he or she needs.

Dogs communicate with their owners and other animals in a variety of ways, and it’s often challenging to learn how to interpret these unique communications. Here are a few ways dogs use growling to communicate and whether you should be concerned about this normal form of canine communication.

The Anxious Growl

This type of growl is used when a dog is awakened from a deep sleep or when being examined by the vet. In these situations, the animal is trying to communicate anxiety and uncertainty. Reassuring him or her with a calm voice can usually make these animals feel more secure.

The Aggressive Growl

These growls are generally longer in a time frame and deeper in tone. This communication is meant to be taken seriously. A dog may use the aggressive growl to guard his food or warn other animals that they are too close for comfort. Pay attention to this growl and act accordingly. It’s usually best to remove the animal from the situation to allow him to calm down.

The Playful Growl

However, a growl is not always an expression of warning. Many dogs will growl when playing with their owners or with other animals, with no sign of aggression. In fact, these animals show clear signs of knowing how far to take the “game.”. Some dogs are more “vocal” than others and look for opportunities to use their voices for interactions with people and other dogs.

Ensuring Good Communication with Your Dog

If your dog growls more than usual or the situations in which he growls changes significantly, you should make an appointment with your vet to make sure there are no physical problems that are causing the animal pain or distress. Your Canton veterinarian can give your dog a thorough examination to ensure that an injury, arthritis or other problem is not causing tenderness in the body that is making him anxious about being touched during interactions.

Make Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic Your Canton GA Veterinarian

We help dog owners understand the subtle points of canine communication and behavior to ensure your pet has the care they need. Contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today at 770-479-1905 for an appointment to discuss growling and other facets of canine behavior with an experienced veterinarian.

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, our Canton veterinarian is committed to providing your dog with the highest standard of care throughout every stage of life. One thing that many dog owners bring up when they bring their pups in for their routine wellness exams is that of behavioral issues, such as persistent howling. If your dog displays this behavioral problem, there are some things you'll want to know.

What Causes Dogs to Howl?

First of all, occasional barking or howling is not necessarily something to be concerned or upset about. It is in your dog's nature to bark and yowl, so don't be surprised if he or she does so when other dogs are barking/howling in the neighborhood, or when a fire truck siren can be heard in the distance.

Still, there are potentially problematic causes of persistent howling. One of the most common is that of separation anxiety, which means your dog will most often howl while you're away from home. You may never know about it unless your neighbors tell you, though separation anxiety is usually accompanied by other signs, such as destruction of property. If this is the case, you should take measures to treat your dog's separation anxiety, which our vet can help with.

In some cases, an underlying medical issue may be causing your pet pain or distress. As a result, your dog may howl or bark as means of coping with it or trying to draw your attention to it. Give your dog a once-over to make sure there are no obvious injuries or signs of trauma.

When to Schedule an Appointment with Our Canton Veterinarian

If your dog is howling and you aren't sure of the cause, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with our Canton veterinarian so we can evaluate your dog's health and make sure there are no health concerns. To book your pet's appointment, contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today. You can reach us at (770) 479-1905.

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, our Canton veterinarian cares not just about the pets we see in our office, but their owners and other pet lovers as well. Dogs are among the most common pets we treat in our office, and they truly are loyal and incredible creatures. Unfortunately, a dog that is provoked, scared, or aggravated may react by biting or attacking, so it's important for everybody to understand the signs of an aggressive dog and how to avoid dog bites.

Tips for Preventing Dog Bites

Even a typically friendly dog can and will bite if feeling threatened, scared, or vulnerable. For this reason, it's important to exercise caution when approaching or coming into contact with any dog you're not familiar with. You can usually tell a lot about a dog's mood and temperament by its body language. A dog that is scared or threatened will try to make itself appear smaller in size, whereas an aggressive dog will generally try to appear larger. Fur may stand up, the dog may stand tall, and he or she may even growl or bark.

If you see an aggressive dog, the best thing to do is to avoid contact. Never run from an aggressive dog, as this will only cause it to chase you. Instead, avoid eye contact and walk or back away slowly. Furthermore, avoid contact with dogs that are eating or sleeping, as many otherwise-friendly dogs are territorial about their food and bed.

You can also protect your dog from getting into fights with other dogs by exercising caution while out and about. While walking your dog, never allow your dog to approach another dog unless given permission from the other dog's owner. Many dogs become startled or agitated by being suddenly approached by another dog and their defensive instincts to fight could kick in.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Canton Veterinarian Today

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to keeping you and your dog safe. Of course, always make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations as well. If your dog needs an updated exam or vaccinations, schedule an appointment with our Canton veterinarian today by contacting us at (770) 479-1905.

Destructive chewing is a common problem for dog owners, particularly during their pet’s early years. During puppyhood, excessive chewing is often a way to relieve the discomfort of incoming teeth. However, destructive chewing can continue well into their adulthood and can become a problem.

If your dog is a destructive chewer, you will have to take a close look at your dog’s health and mental well-being to determine the source of this intense need to chew. Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic can offer behavioral advice to help owners find ways to correct a destructive chewing habit.

Teach Acceptable Chewing Behavior

Owners should understand that chewing is a natural instinct serving a number of behavioral purposes. The goal is not to stop your dog from chewing, which would be confusing and frustrating for the animal. The right goal is to direct your dog’s chewing to acceptable objects and times.

To discourage an unacceptable habit, find time to stay with your dog for a whole day or several days to intervene when he or she begins to chew, so you can offer an acceptable alternative. Increase exercise times to relieve boredom and release physical energy. “Chew-proof” your home by removing items that have been past targets for chewing. Don’t confuse the animal by offering old shoes or other discarded items as chew toys. Finally, avoid harsh methods of discouraging chewing, such as keeping the animal in his crate for long periods or using a muzzle. These tactics will only trigger other behavioral problems.

Provide Appropriate Chew Toys

Dogs that are inclined to chew to relieve stress and boredom should be provided with a number of durable chew toys to allow them to work off their energy. Pig’s ears, rolled pig skin sticks, tooth-cleaning chews and durable hard rubber toys that you fill with peanut butter or treats are good options to encourage acceptable chewing.

Contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic for Chewing and Other Problems

Contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today at 770-383-1182 for an appointment to discuss behavioral problems like chewing and other aspects of keeping your dog healthy and happy.

Doggy day care is a relatively new concept born out of a need to provide attention and interaction for dogs while their owners are away at work for long periods throughout the week. The benefits to pets have been so clear that many doggy day care facilities have sprung up in communities across the country. Although doggy day care is not right for all dogs, it can offer real benefits for dogs that enjoy interacting with others of their species.

Doggy Day Care Improves Dogs’ Physical and Mental Health

Attendees at doggy day care receive opportunities to socialize with other dogs, making them less prone to unacceptable behavior. They also receive supervised activity, which helps keep them physically fit, an important consideration in the age of increasing obesity in dogs. Dogs in day care are less prone to boredom and the development of unacceptable habits, such as constant barking when owners are gone, destructive chewing or habitual self-licking that can lead to skin infections. Dogs in day care get a great deal of human interaction with people who truly love animals, which makes them happier animals. In addition, at the end of the day, they are happy to come home and relax with their owners, instead of being demanding of their owners’ time and attention.

Safety Considerations in Doggy Day Care

Before leaving your dog at a doggy day care center, you should visit the facility to get a feel for its operation. Are there sufficient employees present to provide adequate supervision? Are there any safety hazards evident, such as exposed electrical cords or unsecured doorways? Are the animals carefully screened before being accepted into the facility? Are the animals properly immunized against diseases to prevent illness? Do they have procedures in place for smooth intake and release of their charges? Are the dogs properly separated by size and activity level? What procedures do they have in place for emergencies?

Make Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic Your Local Veterinarian Clinic

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic we offer boarding and grooming. Contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today at 770-383-1182 for an appointment to discuss doggy day care for your pet and learn the best ways to safeguard his or her health and well-being.

June is here. While this month may signal the official start of summer, it’s important for another reason: it’s American Humane’s Adopt a Cat Month. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about this exciting month, including why you should give an adopted cat a furrever home.

What Is American Humane’s Adopt a Cat Month?

American Humane is an organization that focuses on animal rights. They rescue animals and give them temporary homes until loving pet owners like you can adopt them.

More kittens tend to be born in the spring than any other time of the year. This can lead to a surplus of cats without homes. That’s why American Humane has officially declared June as Adopt a Cat Month.

No matter what kind of cat you’re looking for, you can find it here. Take home an adult cat or adopt a rambunctious baby.

Why Adopt Cats?

There are so many reasons to adopt an animal rather than buy one. The biggest is that you’re saving a cat’s life. As mentioned, with so many more cats born around this time of year, a lot of them will end up homeless. If they’re not roaming free on the streets, they may be euthanized.

Here are some other very great reasons you should adopt:

Reduce the homeless pet population.

Save money, as adopting is often much cheaper than buying a cat (and sometimes it’s even free!).

You’ll have a companion you can enjoy for many years to come.

You can contact American Humane to learn more about Adopt a Cat Month by calling 800-227-4645, emailing info@americanhumane.org, or visiting 1400 16th Street Northwest, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036.

We’ll make sure your cat is in good health and ready to enjoy a lifetime of fun and love with you. You can contact our Canton veterinarians’ office today by calling 770-479-1905 or visiting us at Acres Mill Veterinary Hospital on 2460 Ball Ground Highway.

Your cat has been with you through thick and thin for years now. They’re your greatest companion, yet they’re starting to age. At this point in life, your cat is a senior if they’re more than seven years old.

As your cat gets older, their needs change. They may not be as mobile as they once were. You may need to give them a special diet. If you’re not sure what to do, Canton veterinarians can help.

Here are some handy tips for taking care of your senior cat.

1. Make life as easy for your cat as possible.

Your cat may have been a jumper in their prime, but that’s changed. If your pet can’t go far without aches and pains, bring their necessities to them. Move their water and food bowls, litterbox, toys, and bedding.

2. Older cats still need exercise.

Your cat may have a hard time getting around, but they still need to move their body. Whether you leash them up for a walk or do some light playing with puzzles and toys, these activities help control weight.

3. You may have to adjust your cat’s diet.

Not only are you trying to maintain a healthy weight for your cat, but you want to make sure he or she is getting all the nutrients their older body needs. If your cat has hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, or heart disease, talk to your vet about what kind of diet they require. Otherwise, make sure your cat is getting plenty of proteins, glucosamine, and fatty acids in their food.

4. Watch your cat’s dental health.

Dental health may decline as your cat ages. It’s especially important to keep those pearly whites strong, clean, and healthy. Dental treats or regular brushings with a toothbrush are best.

5. See your vet at least annually.

To make sure your cat is aging as healthfully as possible, you must bring them in for regular checkups. Do this at least every year if not twice a year.

About Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic

Looking for Canton veterinarians for senior cat care? Come see us at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. We can diagnose and treat dental issues, ear and eye problems, obesity, internal health problems, and degenerative or osteoarthritic joints in senior cats and dogs.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call 770-479-1905 or visit us at Acres Mill Veterinary on 2460 Ball Ground Highway.

May is peak season for runny noses, clogged sinuses and other signs of allergies in people. It has even been declared national Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month, it's so bad. Although they are sometimes forgotten, dogs and cats are included in the allergy victims who could use recognition and help with unpleasant symptoms.

What Do Asthma and Allergies Look Like in Pets?

Unlike humans with allergies, dogs and cats with allergies are usually itchy. The most common allergen for dogs and cats is flea saliva, and by May, the fleas are out in force. Asthma in dogs is usually caused by allergies that irritate the airway. This can cause trouble breathing, coughing, lethargy and lack of appetite. Asthma in cats is more common than asthma in dogs, and usually causes rapid, shallow breathing.

Treatments for Asthma and Allergies in Dogs and Cats

The treatments chosen for dogs and cats with asthma and allergies depends on the allergen and the severity of the reaction. Prescription drugs are available from Canton veterinarians if your pet is having acute or severe problems. Long-term drug therapy is possible, but has side effects. Some at-home treatments can be very effective. Some of the available treatments are:

Treating fleas

Regular bathing

Prescription drugs

Removal of the allergen

Topical creams or ointments

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a term that refers to allergy shots and newer oral treatments. It is often used in cases where the pet is allergic to something he or she cannot escape. Your Canton veterinarians at Acres Mills Veterinary Clinic can help you decide what kind of treatment is best for your pet.

An itchy pet is a miserable pet. Luckily, there are things that can be done to make your pet feel better. To discuss options and get advice, call your Canton veterinarians at Acres Mills Veterinary Clinic today.

Maybe you've had a flea infestation or removed a tick from your pet in the past. However, you might not be aware of the severity of parasites and how they affect your pet. You could find your pet in a serious predicament if you don't use preventative measures supplied by Canton veterinarians.

Complications from Fleas and Ticks

Fleas will irritate your pet and cause itching. Your pet might have an allergic skin reaction as a result of the parasites. The skin irritation may make your pet scratch and possibly contaminate the bite with bacteria or a virus. It's not uncommon for your pet's coat to look unhealthy as a result of fleas, which are sucking necessary nutrients from the pet. Your pet might ingest a flea, which means the problem will no longer be just external. Ingesting a flea introduces the flea into his or her digestive tract and will lead to a tapeworm. Once a tapeworm enters into the digestive tract, it will begin taking nutrients from your pet. Your pet could acquire a disease from a tick bite such as Lyme disease, The symptoms aren't as prominent in animals as they are in humans. When a tick causes disease, it's possible your pet will have paralysis or weakness in the hind legs. In some cases, your pet will experience respiratory failure or death.

Quick Infestation

It doesn't take long for a tick to infect your pet. Generally, your pet will develop Lyme disease or another condition within 48 hours of the tick attaching to your pet. Generally, your pet won't have symptoms of a tick-borne illness immediately. It can take two to five months for your furry friend to develop symptoms. Fleas reproduce quickly. The average female flea may lay up to 2,000 eggs over the course of her lifetime. Just one female consumes 15 times her own weight in blood each day.

To schedule an appointment to get rid of fleas or a tick or benefit from preventative measures to protect your pet against fleas and ticks, contact our Canton veterinarians at Acres Mill Veterinarian Clinic.

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http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_80785_veterinarians_talks_about_what_you_can_expect_during_your_kittens_first_year.htmlYour Canton Veterinarians Talks About What You Can Expect During Your Kitten's First Year

Cute, loveable kittens bring joy to children and adults with their boundless energy and heart-melting faces. If you have never been a parent to a kitten before, your Canton veterinarians want you to be aware of important health and emotional needs kittens should receive from a vet and from you. Before welcoming your new kitty into your home, make sure you fully "kitty proof" your home by removing plants toxic to cats (aloe vera, geraniums, ferns), tying up curtain cords and placing breakable knickknacks where your kitty can't reach them. Also, have a new litterbox ready for kitten. You won't need to train your kitten to use the litterbox, since cats instinctively cover up their feces. Just put your kitty in the litterbox and they will start scratching and pawing at the litter naturally.

Feeding Your New Kitty

Kittens should have continuous access to fresh food and water. A combination of dry and wet kitten food is recommended for ensuring your kitten receives the vitamins and minerals they need for optimal health. Kittens need extra amounts of fatty acids, proteins, mineral and amino acids found in specially formulated, commercial food for kittens. Protein is especially critical to a kitten's development, since nearly 35 percent of their energy requirements come from protein. If notice your kitten not drinking much water, try refilling their water bowl several times a day or place multiple water bowls throughout your home to encourage your kitten to drink water.

Kitten Vaccination Schedule

Your Canton veterinarians will begin giving core vaccinations to kittens when they are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old. These vaccinations include rabies, panleukopenia, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis. For cats that spend a lot of time outdoors or live inside but are exposed to outside cats, your vet may recommend the feline leukemia vaccination. Feline leukemia is a viral disease transmitted among cats only that causes serious respiratory and skin infections, loss of appetite/weight, diarrhea and fever.

When your kitten is six months old, remember to schedule an appointment with your Canton veterinarians for a spaying or neutering procedure that helps reduce the pet population and decreases the risk of your kitten suffering certain illnesses and tumors as an older cat. Call Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today.

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http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_80784_what_to_expect_for_your_puppys_first_year.htmlOur Canton Veterinarians Shares What to Expect for Your Puppy's First Year

Whether you've recently adopted a puppy or plan to bring one home in the near future, our Canton veterinarians are here to help with all your growing pup's health and wellness needs. At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we specialize in the care of your furry friends.

We know that bringing a new puppy home can be both exciting and a little intimidating. You may be wondering what to expect and what responsibilities you'll have as a new puppy owner. Of course, the health of your new dog is a top priority, which is why we recommend that you bring your dog in for a wellness exam in our office. This will allow us to physically examine your new puppy and make sure there are no health concerns. We can also use this time to make sure your new puppy is up-to-date on all its necessary vaccinations, such as:

rabies

bordetella

distemper

parvovirus

While your pet is here, our veterinarian will also likely speak with you about having your puppy spayed or neutered. Depending on the age and size of your puppy, we may even be able to schedule the spay/neuter appointment while you're here. This is an important procedure to have done that will help do your part to control the pet population and protect your dog's reproductive health.

Finally, if your puppy was not microchipped when you adopted him or her, we can handle this here in our office. Microchipping your puppy takes just a few moments and can help increase your chances of recovering your pet in the event that he or she becomes missing.

Schedule an Appointment With Our Canton Veterinarians

If you're ready to schedule your puppy's first wellness exam with our Canton veterinarians, give Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic a call today. We'd be happy to answer any additional questions you may have as well.

Have you recently adopted a puppy or are you thinking of doing so in the near future?

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, our Canton veterinarian team is proud to offer pet dental services for cats and dogs. We stand firmly behind our belief in using anesthesia during teeth and gum cleanings. Why? Because using anesthesia during pet dental care is better for your pet and better for you! Read on to learn more.

Problems With Anesthesia Free Pet Dental Services

Our number priority during any veterinary procedure is to ensure that your pet remains as calm and as comfortable as possible. This just isn't possible with anesthesia free pet dental care (sometimes referred to as No Anesthesia Dentistry), which requires your animal to be restrained. The combination of restraints, bright lights, odd noises, and unfamiliar people can be extremely stressful and scary for your pet if it is not anesthetized.

Additionally, pet dental procedures, including scaling (cleaning the teeth of visible tartar), can be quite painful for your animal if it is not properly sedated.

Pet dental exams performed without anesthesia just aren't as thorough as those done with anesthesia. Veterinarians are not able to clean below the gumline where a lot of tartar can build up and contribute to periodontal disease, tooth infections, and systemic infections elsewhere in the body (by bacteria from teeth leeching into the bloodstream). This is especially problematic when you consider that periodontal disease often doesn't show any visible signs or symptoms in the early stages since it often begins in a pet's mouth hidden below the gums.

Pets that are not sedated are not able to stay still, which prevents veterinarians from being able to take x-rays and perform a full inspection of the oral cavity.

The bottom line is that in our professional opinion (which is shared by thousands of veterinarians and professional pet dental organizations), the benefits of using anesthesia during your pet's dental procedure far outweighs the small amount of risk.

Why Anesthesia Helps Our Pet Patients During Dental Care

We find that using anesthesia is:

Better for your pet - Because it helps keep your pet as calm, comfortable, and pain-free as possible

Better for our vet team - Because it keeps us safer and allows us to better perform our job

Better for you - Because by allowing us to more thoroughly inspect/clean your animal's teeth and gums, you will save money in the long run by helping to prevent chronic dental diseases (not to mention save you the stress and heartache of watching your animal suffer from a preventable illness!)

Our Canton veterinarian team does everything in our power to minimize the chances of adverse effects or reactions for your pet. We have highly trained staff members on hand to carefully monitor your pet throughout the entire dental procedure, plus we will give you all the tips and information needed both before and after your pet's dental care to maximize your animal's safety.

Whether you have just brought home a new dog or your family has been raising a young dog for a while, now is the perfect time to investigate dog training and whether or not it is right for your puppy. At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we encourage puppy owners to train their dog. Dog training can improve your relationship with your pet and can help your pet live a longer, happier life.

There are many reasons to begin dog training:

Training brings you and your pet closer together - Once your puppy knows and understands your expectations, you and your puppy should enjoy a closer, more productive relationship.

Training can help keep your pet safe - Training will teach your pet to listen for commands and follow instructions. This can prevent your pet from doing something dangerous, like running out into the street.

A properly trained dog may be less destructive - If your dog is not properly trained, he or she may act out in destructive ways. Training your pet will teach him or her not to chew on your carpeting, furniture and other pieces of property.

Training your dog can help keep family members and visitors safe - Pet obedience training will teach your dog restraint, which can prevent bites and other events from occurring.

Decide if Dog Training is Right For You

If you are not convinced that pet obedience training is right for your dog, it may be time to observe a pet obedience class in your area. Go to a class and observe the training methods used on pets. Watch the pets in the class. Do they seem happy? Are they calm and under control? Watching training in action can help you decide whether or not pet behavioral training is right for your dog.

Contact Your Pet's Veterinarian in Canton GA

As your pet’s veterinarian in Canton GA, we help pets stay healthy in Canton. To make an appointment, contact us today at 770-479-1905.

How Old Should My Dog Or Cat Be Before I Get It Spayed/Neutered?

Spaying (for female animals) and neutering (for male animals) is a safe, effective, preventative medical procedure that prevents your cat or dog from being able to produce offspring. According to new guidelines from the ASPCA, healthy kittens and puppies as young as 8-weeks-old can be spayed or neutered. Most veterinarians recommend dogs be spayed/neutered by the age of 9 months and kittens by the age of 5 months. Dogs can be spayed and neutered as adults, but the surgery in older pups tends to be a little bit more risky. It is important to ask your vet for specific recommendations for your animal companion.

The Benefits Of Spay and Neuter Services With Our Canton, GA Veterinarian

Our Canton GA veterinarian team wants you to know there are a lot more benefits to spay/neuter surgery than people realize:

Helps control pet overpopulation.

Prevents millions of unwanted animals from being sent to shelters and/or euthanized every year.

When local pet owners come to our veterinary clinic for their animal's spay/neuter surgery, we do our very best to make the entire experience as calming and seamless as possible. With us, you can expect friendly and professional service, caring attention, and high quality surgical techniques and equipment to help make the surgery and post-operative period go smoothly.

Is It Time For Your Animal To Be Spayed Or Neutered? Schedule a Visit with Our Canton GA Veterinarian Today

Our friendly and professional staff awaits you at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. If your dog or cat needs spay or neuter surgery, call our Canton GA veterinarian team at 770-479-1905 to schedule an initial consultation.

Did you know that 80 percent of dogs over five years old have periodontal disease and nearly three out of four cats suffer from tooth resorption? Both conditions can cause tooth loss, gum disease and pain when chewing food. If left untreated, oral diseases like periodontitis and tooth resorption may enter the bloodstream of a dog or cat and induce systemic infections requiring emergency medical treatment. To perform thorough dental examinations and cleanings on pets for maintaining good oral health, our Canton, GA veterinarian uses anesthesia so that your pet remains as comfortable and anxiety-free as possible during treatment.

Why Pets Need General Anesthesia for Teeth Cleanings and Exams

If you have ever tried to give your pet medication, baths or an impromptu oral examination because you think they may have eaten or swallowed something, you know just how nervous and resistant they can be. Since a pet dental exam and cleaning is much more involved than simply swiping a toothbrush over teeth and gums. it is essential your Canton GA veterinarian anesthetize pets to avoid causing them fear, anxiety and trauma.

Taking oral x-rays to determine if further dental treatment is needed (x-rays detect cysts and tumors embedded in the gums and jaw)

Anesthesia also eliminates the use of restraint techniques they may injure agitated dogs and cats. Additionally, general anesthesia is safer than simply sedating pets because relaxation of throat tissues may occur during sedation that obstructs airways and makes breathing difficult for pets.

Visit our Canton, GA Veterinarian at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic

Dental health is just as important to your pet's overall well-being as getting them vaccinated and bringing your pet to our Canton, GA veterinarian for an annual checkup. Call Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today to schedule an appointment for your pet to have a complete dental cleaning and examination: 770-479-1905.

As a busy dog owner, you may be spending so much time at work, school or other obligations that you find that your dog is spending too many hours alone each day with little stimulation or company. You care about the welfare and happiness of your pet but currently you simply have no wiggle room to adjust your schedule. This is why so many pet owners choose to entrust their dog with a Canton GA veterinarian, such as at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic.

Peace of Mind With Your Preferred Canton GA Veterinarian

You would be right to wonder what happens after dropping your dog off at a Canton GA veterinarian for doggy daycare. It’s in your interest and the interest of your pet to visit the premises before making a commitment and we invite you to come over for a tour at your earliest convenience.

Once you speak with our staff and see how much care and attention we devote to each canine under our supervision, you’ll see that you’ve made the right choice for doggy daycare. We cater to all types of dogs, from young and old to large and small.

If you know that you’ll be working more than usual this week and are concerned about your dog being left alone at home all day, you can get the peace of mind that comes from seeing the supportive environment we provide at Acre Mills Veterinary Clinic. Each member of our staff is compassionate and caring and will treat your dog as if it was a member of their own family.

It will be easier for you to focus on work and other tasks once you have made arrangements to have your beloved dog looked after at doggy daycare. For details about the daycare services we provide for dogs in Canton, Georgia or to set up an appointment at our facility, please contact the friendly professionals at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic today.

If your pet seems ill, this is the time when you’re most likely to visit your Canton veterinarians for advanced diagnostic services. We offer ultramodern testing and lab services are on-site and these immediate blood and imaging test results help our vets quickly diagnose your pet’s illness. This allows us to start proper treatment almost immediately to restore your pet's health.

Routine Pet Wellness Check-Ups Diagnose Hidden Problems

Often, cats and dogs instinctively seek to hide any health problem or symptom that they experience--so waiting to notice symptoms is not wise. A semi-annual pet wellness visit, including diagnostic services, is crucial. This allows your Canton veterinarians to use our advanced diagnostic technology to perform screening tests, basic blood work or x-rays (digital imaging) to get a window on your pet’s health—even if he or she seems perfectly healthy. Your semi-annual visits are also great times for preventative pet care such as teeth cleaning, flea and tick prevention, vaccinations and other routine health service.

Convenient, On-Site Screening Tests Enable Early Diagnosis

Blood tests, urinalysis and health monitoring by your local veterinary team are essential for young animals, older pets and all the ages and growth stages in between. We conduct blood tests similar to those your physician orders during your yearly physical exam. These blood chemistry screening tests for your pet help us catch potential disease early for proactive treatment. This approach helps increase your pet’s longevity and maintains a high quality of life for your loved one.

Our advanced diagnostic testing capabilities are most valuable when your pet has an emergency medical need. Fast, clear results from our digital radiography equipment let us see your pet’s internal condition quickly. There is no waiting for x-ray film to develop. What’s even better is that testing is done here, on-site, when you see the vet.

Here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we strive to provide all the veterinary services your pet needs to lead a long and healthy life. One of the many services we offer and that we highly recommend for our clients is that of vaccinations and immunizations. In most cases, your pet will need at least one vaccination or booster each year to protect him or her from any number of illnesses and diseases, including rabies. Not sure where to start or which vaccinations your pet needs? Not to worry! Our team of veterinary professionals is here to help.

For Puppies and Dogs

For dogs, we generally recommended the rabies vaccine for puppies as early as four months. From there, a rabies booster s recommended a year later, followed by three-year vaccines from that point on. We may also recommend the DA2PP vaccine, which is ideal for protecting against a number of illnesses and viruses, such as:

canine distemper

para-flu

Parvo virus

Puppies should receive a series of these vaccinations within the first few months of life.

Other vaccinations we may recommend for puppies and adult dogs alike include vaccines for leptospirosis, bordetella (kennel cough), and Lyme Disease.

For Kittens and Cats

If you have a kitten or cat, the vaccination schedule may be slightly different. Rabies vaccinations should be given between 16 and 20 weeks of birth, whereas follow-up vaccines may be once a year or once every three years (depending on the specific vaccine used). The FVRCPP vaccine is also recommended to protect against everything from "cat fever" to respiratory diseases and is usually recommended every three years. Some cats may also need vaccinated against Feline Leukemia Virus.

Schedule a Wellness Exam Today

If your pet is in need of updated vaccinations (or if you're not sure), we advise you to schedule an appointment with our team at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. Call today to request an appointment or find out more about our vaccination and immunization services!

Here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we understand that you love your pets like family; that's why our staff is dedicated to treating your furry friends with the care and compassion they deserve. We strive to be your one-stop shop for all your pet's health and wellness needs, offering convenient hours and a variety of veterinary services.

Our Services Offered

From routine wellness exams and vaccinations to surgery and disease management, our team does it all. We recommend that all pets come in at least once a year for a wellness exam to make sure your pet is in good overall health. We'll also take the time to ensure that your pet is up-to-date and all necessary vaccinations and immunizations. We've also found that regular wellness exams are great for early detection and treatment of illnesses.

In addition to annual check-ups, many of our clients also bring their pets in for dental exams, spay and neuter surgery, and disease management. Ultimately, our goal is to help your pet stay as happy and healthy as possible with our dog and cat veterinary services.

Boarding and Grooming

Our services don't just stop at veterinary care; we're also proud to offer grooming and boarding services for cats and dogs. The next time you need to travel away from home and need a safe, reputable place to board your pet, be sure to keep us in mind. And when it comes to your pet's grooming needs, we're here to help. From bathing to nail trims and everything in between, we'll be sure to get your pet looking (and smelling) great again!

Your search for a reliable and experienced Canton veterinarian ends with Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic! We're here to cover all your pet's health and wellness needs. Give our office a call today to schedule an appointment at a date and time that's convenient for you. We'd also be happy to answer any questions you may have about our practice or our veterinary services.

If you have a cat, there's a good chance you love and treat it as part of your family. As a result, of course you want to make sure your cat receives the veterinary care he or she needs to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we encourage all cat owners to take steps towards preventative care.

Why Preventative Care Matters

What exactly is preventative care? It could refer to any number of actions, ranging from making sure your cat is up-to-date on vaccinations to making sure he or she is eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. Essentially, preventative care refers to the steps you and your vet take to protect your cat from health problems down the road. With the proper preventative care, you can potentially help your feline friend lead a longer and healthier life.

Preventative Care From Our Canton Veterinarians

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we provide your cat with the preventative care he or she needs in the form of vaccinations. Even if your cat was fully vaccinated when you adopted him/her and remains an indoor cat, there are still some necessary vaccinations to keep in mind. For example, most cats (even indoor ones) should be vaccinated against rabies about once every three years (though this can vary based on your cat's age). Other potential vaccinations include:

feline leukemia vaccine

feline distemper vaccine

In most cases, the above vaccines are recommended once per year, but again, this could vary based on your cat's age (especially if he or she is over the age of 10). Either way, a trusted and experienced veterinarian will be able to tell you which vaccinations are recommended for your cat and how often they should be administered.

More About Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic

In addition to preventative care and vaccinations, we offer a variety of other services here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. From surgeries and dentistry to boarding and more, we're here to help you give your cat the best life possible. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

It surprises many dog owners to find out that dogs can get allergies just like people. At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we work hard to educate our patients about the importance of proper allergy care for dogs. Especially at this time of year, treating your dog's allergies can improve his or her quality of life.

Proper Allergy Treatment

Pick the right shampoo. If your dog is suffering from allergies, he or she will spend a lot of time scratching itches on the paws and haunches. You can help relieve this allergic response by choosing the right shampoo for your pet. The best shampoos will contain emollients as well as antiseptics.

Steroid sprays and creams. Your pet's veterinarian can help prescribe the best sprays and creams for your pet. Follow all instructions for application and be careful not to apply steroids every day.

Reduce exposure to the allergen. The best way to treat your pet's allergies is to identify the source of allergy and reduce your pet's exposure to that allergen. If you you're not sure what your pet is allergic to, your Canton veterinarians at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic can make that determination for you. If your pet is allergic to a certain kind of food, controlling your pet's diet will help. If your pet is allergic to a pollen or something else carried on the air, running your home's HVAC system and shutting the windows will help.

Take your pet to the veterinarian. Your pet's veterinarian can prescribe more treatments based on your pet's condition and what are your pet's allergy triggers.

Contact Acres Mill Today

To find out more about caring for your pet, take your pet to Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. We treat pet allergies on a regular basis and can help improve your pet's quality of life. Call us for an appointment at 770-479-1905.

Did you know that April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month? What better time of the year for Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic to remind you of these three safety tips when it comes to your pet.

Be Aware of Heat Stroke

Heat stroke does not just affect humans, it affects animals too, including dogs and cats. In fact, it's one of the most common frequent complications faced by pets as the temperatures get warmer. Some heat stroke symptoms include:

Heavy panting

Fast pulse rate

Dark red gums

Difficulty getting up

If your animal is experiencing any of these symptoms, try to cool the cat or dog down by dousing them with cool water. After that, take them to the veterinarian. Heat stroke is serious and could cause organ damage and even death.

Be Aware of Certain Poisons to Your Pet

Dogs and cats can be known to ingest things they aren't supposed to. Some of the most common toxins for pets include:

Common signs your pet has been poisoned include: vomiting, excessive drooling, and having a seizure. Being aware of these symptoms and poisonous substances will help you avoid a life and death situation for your pet. If you do suspect your pet got into something they weren't supposed to, contact your veterinarian right away.

Be Aware of Open Doors and Windows

Open windows, especially ones that are high off the ground, can be especially dangerous for your pet. Both dogs and cats can get injured by falling out of a window. Ensure that windows are always either closed or have a screen attached. Open doors can cause pets to get outside without a leash, increasing the chances of getting hit by a car. Being aware of your pet's location every time the door opens will help keep them safe.

If any of these pet emergencies happen contact your Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic at 770-479-1905. We are located at 2460 Ball Ground Hwy in Canton, Georgia. We offer emergency services along with surgery, diagnostic services, and many others.

Caring for your pet involves regular grooming. As your pet becomes older, this can be more of a challenge, especially if your dog or cat has health issues. Keep the following advice on senior pet grooming in mind.

Grooming Advice from Our Canton Veterinarian

Our Canton veterinarian at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic wants your pets to stay happy and healthy as they age. As pets get older, they might have more trouble keeping themselves clean. For example, cats might not be as flexible as they get older due to arthritis or other health issues, making it harder to lick their fur clean. Pets are also more prone to developing skin problems as they age, since their skin tends to become either drier or oilier. It’s also common for their skin and fur to become thinner.

When grooming your senior pet, make sure you keep them as clean as possible to lower the risk of skin infections. You can also reduce the risk of infections by trimming their nails on a regular basis, so they won’t cut their skin open while scratching. Consider keeping your pet’s coat shorter if they typically have long fur or hair. Since senior pets have difficulty grooming themselves, shorter coats make it a little easier for them stay clean and free of mats and tangles.

Grooming your elderly pet also gives you a good chance to catch early signs of health problems. As you groom your older pet, watch for signs of potential health issues, such as pressure sores or lumps. If you do notice any of these, make an appointment with our Canton veterinary clinic to have your pet checked.

Contact Our Canton Veterinary Clinic for Pet Grooming Services

If you need help with your senior pet, we offer grooming services that include baths and brushing. Contact Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic at 770-479-1905 to make a grooming appointment.

Dental radiographs, otherwise known as dental x-rays, are most important diagnostic tools for veterinarians. These imaging tests help veterinary dental professionals to view the internal anatomy of your pet’s teeth, including the roots and the bone invisible to the naked eye.

Reasons for Pet Dental Radiography

There are many reasons our veterinarian may recommend pet dental radiography. Our veterinary dentist might want to look for signs of disease hiding below the gum line or inside your pet’s teeth. These tests are helpful when evaluate an area where a tooth appears to be missing. Pet dental radiography is also helpful in documenting the progression of a tooth or gum disease. Dental radiographs help our veterinarians confirm proper extraction of a tooth. We can even use the test to determine if show dogs have the proper number of teeth.

Our veterinarian may recommend ‘full-mouth-radiographs’ to create images of all your pet’s teeth, as pets with one dental problem tend to have additional oral issues that become apparent only with full-mouth radiographs. Full-mouth radiographs also establish a baseline our veterinarians can use for future comparison.

Dental radiographs cause minimal radiation risk to your four-legged friend. The digital form of these dental x-rays significantly reduces radiation exposure for both your pet and for our veterinary staff.

Veterinary dental specialists undergo special training in performing dental radiography and interpreting the images they see in the digital images. To learn more about dental radiographs for your pet, make an appointment with our Canton veterinarian at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. Call 770-479-1905 today.

Similar to people, it isn't good for dogs to lead boring, couch-potato lives. To stay youthful in spirit and body, they need physical and mental stimulation in addition to a healthy diet and regular medical care.

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we're always glad to share ideas about how to help your pet feel healthy and happy. Here are five ideas for keeping your dog frisky.

Tips from Our Canton Veterinarian

Control Weight & Diet

A dog that is overweight is more likely to suffer from preventable health problems, including diabetes, liver ailments and joint pain. Being overweight usually shortens a dog's life.

Ask your veterinarian for advice about dietary changes to aid weight loss. One idea is to offer activity treats -- like a game of fetch or tag -- instead of food as a reward.

Go for Daily Walks & Set Play Dates

Exercise is important for physical and mental well-being. Daily walks or runs help to control weight and stimulate a dog's senses. You can also arrange play dates and buddy trips to the local dog park with other friendly dogs in the neighborhood.

Provide New Experiences

When walking with your pet, vary the route or visit a park. This is one small way of providing mental stimulation of new experiences.

Dogs also enjoy the attention they receive when learning new skills. For example, sign up for behavior training or lessons to become a pet-therapy dog. Or teach your dog tricks, such as retrieving the newspaper. Dogs enjoy having a job.

Choose a Canine Sport

Participation in a canine sport can also make a dog feel purposeful, especially if the activity matches the breed. Beagles may enjoy search-and-rescue work but not dock diving.

Visit Your Canton Veterinarians

Regular veterinary checkups identify potential health problems before they become major problems. It is difficult for a dog to act youthful if s/he is not feeling well.

Please contact us to set an appointment or for any other veterinarian advice you may have. Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic helps dogs stay young by helping them stay healthy.

Your dog’s teeth and gums can become damaged or diseased without regular care, which can put your pet at risk of serious health problems. Having bad teeth or gums also affects your dog’s overall well-being by making it hard to do simple things, such as chewing food. Seeing our Canton veterinarians for professional dental care is important, but you can help keep your dog’s teeth in good condition by brushing them at home.

Get Your Dog Used to Brushing

If your dog seems nervous, you will need to help them get used to having their teeth brushed. Start by gently running your finger over your dog’s gums for short periods of time to help them get used to the feeling. Once your dog is comfortable with this, you can move onto tooth brushing.

Use the Right Supplies

Choose a toothbrush with softer bristles, so you will not cause your dog any discomfort. Use toothpaste that is made for dogs instead of toothpaste for humans, which might cause irritation.

Brush in Circular Motions

Brush your dog’s teeth in circular motions in order to remove as many bits of food as possible. This prevents them from having plaque buildup, which can lead to tooth decay. Make sure you brush all your dog’s teeth, paying close attention to the back teeth that can be hard to reach.

Aim for Two Minutes

Brush your dog’s teeth for a total of roughly two minutes at a time. Reward your dog with praise after you are done brushing each time. Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth on a daily basis.

Contact Us for Dental Care

February is Pet Dental Month, which makes it a great time to ensure that your dog has healthy teeth gums for better health overall. If your dog is due for a dental exam and cleaning, contact our Canton clinic to make an appointment. We will provide your pet with thorough dental care for clean and healthy teeth and gums.

Bringing your pets on vacation with you can make your trip more enjoyable. Instead of having to board them or hire a pet sitter, you can keep them with you throughout your trip. If you are trying to figure out where to go for pet-friendly travel, our Canton veterinarians have some ideas for you.

Taking a camping trip is a great way to have a fun vacation with your dogs. Many camping sites are pet-friendly, but always call ahead of time to make sure that pets are allowed. You and your pets can explore the outdoors while breathing in fresh air and getting some exercise. Just make sure you keep them on a leash, so they will not wander off, especially if you will be in an area with bears or other larger animals.

If you have a particular city or town in mind for vacation, check accommodations and tourist attractions to see if there are pet-friendly offers. More and more hotels and bed and breakfasts are welcoming dogs and cats, but keep in mind that there might be restrictions, such as size or the number of pets allowed. As far as sightseeing, look for outdoor areas that you can take your pets to, such as historic districts or parks. You might also be able to find dog-friendly dining options in your chosen destination.

If your pets love water, consider going on a pet-friendly vacation involving water activities. You and your dogs can spend quiet afternoons on a boat, burn off energy by swimming or play a game of fetch on the beach.

Visit Our Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic before Traveling

When you are taking a pet-friendly vacation, making sure your pets are current on all shots is essential. Keep in mind that many accommodations that accept dogs and cats require them to have up-to-date vaccinations. Schedule and appointment, and our Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic will ensure that your pets are ready for vacation.

Many dogs love Thanksgiving. Between the visiting relatives and tables full of food, dogs tend to spend this holiday in a state of euphoria. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving can be a time of danger for your pet, if he or she gets fed certain foods from the table. While some human food is alright for pet consumption, some popular Thanksgiving foods are not. Knowing which foods pose a threat can help you protect your pet this holiday season.

Anything with onion and garlic. Onions and garlic, regardless of whether or not they've been cooked, contain sulfides that can lead to anemia in animals. Onions and garlic appear in many Thanksgiving recipes, including stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.

Walnuts and macadamia nuts. These nuts can be toxic for your dog, causing a variety of symptoms. Keep your furry companion away from pies, cookies, salads, stuffings and other foods that may contain these kinds of nuts.

Nutmeg. Found in everything from pie to sweet potatoes to eggnog and wassail, nutmeg can cause seizers and other central nervous system problems for your pet. Ingested in large amounts, nutmeg can even cause death.

Bones. Animal bones can puncture the lining of your dog's stomach or intestines, causing emergencies and even death. If you wish to feed your dog meat from the table, be sure to cook it thoroughly, remove the skin and take out all bones beforehand.

Beer. Hops, found in beer, are toxic for dogs and can cause death. Many dogs love beer, but unfortunately beer can be very dangerous (especially the hoppy micro brews that are very popular right now).

Consult Your Canton Veterinarian!

If you really want to share some Thanksgiving food with your pet, talk to your pet's Canton veterinarians at Acres Mill Animal Hospital before the holiday. We'll be happy to give you advice and tell you which other foods should be avoided in order to keep your dog safe.

You might think of your pets as furry members of your family, but that doesn't mean you should include them in every holiday celebration. Some Halloween traditions are pet friendly, but others can make your pet uncomfortable or even downright sick. Common sense will prevent most of the problems, but check with our office if you have any questions on pet safety during this spooky holiday.

5 Worst Holiday Pet Problems from Your Canton Veterinary Hospital

Holiday Decorations Plastic pumpkins shouldn't be a problem (unless you've got a puppy that chews on everything) but lit candles on the coffee table can be a danger to larger dogs with sweeping tails. Your lab's happy wags can turn into a disaster in seconds. Put the candles up where pets can't reach them.

Costumes Some pets are fine with dressing up, while others can't wait to get out of those outfits. We know you think your fuzzy friend looks adorable in a Halloween costume, but go with your pet's reactions on this one. If it chews on the fabric or constantly rubs to remove a hat, think about just going with a light-up collar or other less-intrusive holiday item.

Chocolate Children love to get chocolate in their trick-or-treat bags, but if your dog gets into the bag it can create a quick trip to the veterinarian's office. Chocolate is poison to dogs, and it can make them very sick. It can even be fatal in some cases.

Candy Wrappers Your little ghosts and goblins might want to tear through their loot, but keep an eye out for stray candy wrappers. Some pets will eat anything lying on the floor, and the cellophane and foil in most candy wrappers can cause a dangerous bowel obstruction.

Open Doors You’ll be opening the door multiple times during the trick-or-treating hours. Unless your dog is extremely well behaved and calm, it can be too much of a temptation to run out the door into the neighborhood. Put your pet into a closed room for safety. Give them food and water, along with a favorite toys, to keep them secure until the festivities are over.

With numerous pet foods to choice from, it can be a little daunting to have to decide which one would provide the best health benefits for your pet. Can you trust the pet food labels? Our Canton Veterinarians have put together a few need-to-know facts about reading pet food labels to help you decide if you can trust your pet food brand.

The pet food industry is well regulated.
The pet food industry is very much a "buyers beware" market as very little regulation exists and there is almost no quality control. The FDA only gets involved if a major incident occurs.

Food label is a good source of information.
The only thing legally required on pet food labels is the AFFCO statement which requires the label to state how the diet was derived and which life stage it was designed for. Currently, the life stages include puppies, pregnancy and maintenance. A diet that claims that they are for "All Life Stages" must be able to meet all dietary requirements for each of these stages.

List Ingredients are listed based on quantity.
Yes, the ingredients are listed based on weight, however, the rules on this are vague. Companies will often find loopholes to manipulate the system. For example, a reputable company that is using chicken as one of their ingredients will only measure the chicken meat while a less reputable company would measure the whole chicken and include organs, bones, etc. Companies may even inject water into the chicken to make it weigh more just do it will be placed higher on the ingredients list.

Organic is healthier and better for my pet.
Maybe so, but is it actually organic? If your pet food doesn't have the USDA label then it's most likely not. Some companies will use one organic ingredient and then claim the whole diet is organic. In order for a pet food to have the USDA organic label, it must be 100% organic. If the item only says organic, then it must be at least 95% organic by weight. If the item says it’s made with organic, then only about 70%.

I only buy all natural or holistic food.
All natural simply means it came from nature and was not altered chemically. This could include feathers, hemlock, coal and oil. As for holistic foods, there is no legal definition under pet food regulations and laws.

Need recommendations on your pet’s nutritional needs? Stop by Acres Mill Animal Hospital and schedule an appointment with one of our Canton veterinarian’s.

With the rising heat and humidity, our veterinarians, here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, have prepared a few tips so that you can keep your pets cool all summer.

1. Pay Attention to the Heat and Humidity

Dogs cool themselves through their footpads and by panting. When there is a lot of moisture in the air, water does not evaporate in a timely manner, which makes the dog's natural cooling abilities less effective. For these reasons, pet owners should pay attention to the heat index. Dogs can overheat in as little as 15 minutes when the heat index is high.

2. Shorten exercise Durations

Limit your pet's outdoor exercise to 15 minutes or less on hot days. If your pet has white or light colored ears, find a place to exercise with lots of shade to lower your pet's chances of getting a sunburn. If you have a pet with a short nose, pay attention to their breathing and panting. Dogs with short noses are known for having breathing problems in high heat.

3. Morning and Evening Exercise

To prevent heatstroke and burnt footpads, exercise your dog in the early mornings and late evenings. Also try to exercise your dog where there is minimal pavement. If your dog must walk across pavement, you can purchase dog booties to help protect your pet's feet.

4. Water and Ice

Make sure to keep plenty of fresh water on hand and add a few ice cubes to the bowl. When out on walks, remember to bring plenty of cool bottled water for yourself and your pet.

5. Provide Cool Treats

Dogs love cool treats just as much as their human owners, and there are lots of websites with recipes for DIY frozen pet treats. The Humane Society offers a recipe for Peanut Butter Pup-sicles.

If you pet starts panting excessively or seems lethargic during or after outside playtime, do not hesitate to call our veterinary office in Canton at 770-200-1524. These symptoms could be signs of heatstroke.

Summertime is a popular time for travel, and for many families that means including everyone on trips – including the family pet. If you are planning a getaway with your four-legged companions this season, we have put together some helpful tips for ensuring your pet stays safe along the way.

Lost and Runaway Pets

As exciting as traveling may be for you, it is also a stimulating experience for your pet. Every animal reacts differently when removed from its normal environment, with some wanting to explore and others feeling apprehensive about the experience. There is never a more important time to ensure your pet is wearing proper identification with updated tag information. Double check both the collar and the leash before heading outdoors.

Transportation Dangers

If you are taking a road trip with your pet, you are not the only one who needs to wear a safety belt. Pets should never ride in the front seat, as they may be propelled into the windshield during an accident or sudden stop. Instead, restrain your pet in the backseat using a pet safety harness, or placing your pet in a travel-safe crate.

First Aid

Like humans, pets may become ill when traveling. Whether it is car sickness or some other health problem, it is important to locate emergency veterinary care providers who will be accessible to you on your trip. Depending on where you go and the types of activities your pet will be participating in, you may also wish to bring a pet-safe sunscreen, bug repellant and bandages in case of an injury.

Visit Your Veterinarian before Your Next Trip

Before packing your bags, be sure to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy enough for travel. Dr. Michael Good, Dr. Michele Stewart, Dr. Dwight Alleyne and the rest of the staff here at Acres Mill Animal Hospital in Canton, Georgia can provide helpful tips for traveling with pets, as well as microchips, updated immunizations and boarding services if your plans happen to change.

All cats, whether they are indoor or outdoor cats, need preventative care. Vaccinations help protect against common and often contagious cat diseases, including FIV and leukemia. Rabies vaccines are mandated by law, and depending on your cat’s habits, he or she may also need vaccines for kennel cough and feline infectious peritonitis.

Fleas and ticks are also problematic for cats. Fleas can cause flea dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to flea bites. Ticks harbor dangerous bacteria that can infiltrate your cat’s bloodstream. If your cat is small, a large flea infestation can cause anemia due to blood loss.

Cat Preventative Care with our Veterinarian in Canton

Having your cat examined by our veterinarian in Canton can help prevent disease and catch diseases at the earliest possible stages. Depending on your cat’s age and current health, we recommend scheduling examinations one to two times a year.

During your cat’s examination, we will take a thorough medical history. Our veterinarian will want to know the age of your cat and his or her lifestyle, if you’ve noticed any behavior changes and what food you are currently feeding your cat. Once the medical history has been taken, our veterinarian will examine your pet’s mouth, teeth and gums. Your pet will be checked for pain and we will assess your cat’s body and muscle mass.

Once the examination is complete, we will determine if your cat has any medical conditions, infections or parasitic infestations. We may recommend a dental cleaning, and we may recommend changing your cat’s diet to improve his or her health and activity levels if needed.

The weather is getting warm and if flea and tick prevention hasn’t already started for your pets, you need to stop in and see us!

These irritating pests cause problems for your pet, yourself and your home. When fleas or ticks attach themselves to your pet, they typically cause itching and even disease. The pests can then infest your home, biting you and making the problem last longer than just a topical flea treatment for your pet. We highly encourage pet owners to start preventing for fleas and ticks early, continuing treatments throughout the year.

Providing Your Pet with an FDA-Approved Solution

We believe that your pet deserves a safe solution that really prevents pests. Pills can be difficult to get your pet to swallow. Skin drops are annoying if you forget a dosage and not convenient if you have to work them around baths. Collars give off a smell and can cause skin irritation. We are now proud to recommend Bravecto for your pet, the first FDA-approved oral soft chew. This provides a tested solution that is not messy and can’t fall off.

The tablet is only administered every 12 weeks, keeping your pet protected from the insects that can harm him. Within two hours of indigestion, Bravecto starts killing fleas that are already living on your pet, making it a fast solution if you are already facing a problem.

How to Avoid Ticks and Fleas?

Ticks and fleas live outside and target warm-blooded animals with fur, like your cat or dog. Squirrels and other neighborhood pets can often be carriers of fleas, creating an outdoor infestation that can be difficult to fight. While many pet owners want to take a cheaper route to treatment, we believe flea and tick prevention should be done right the first time to avoid the hassle of infestation, the danger of a poorly made medication and the waste of needing to purchase more than one treatment if a weaker version fails.

Come in today and get your pet set up with a flea and tick oral prevention tablet to make your summer safe and enjoyable! Schedule your next appointment with us soon to find out more about your pet’s summer health and safety. What will you be doing with your pet this summer?

]]>Thu, 28 May 2015 13:51:16 -0700http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_48258_always_stay_up_to_date_on_grooming.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_48258_always_stay_up_to_date_on_grooming.htmlAlways Stay Up To Date on Grooming

Pet grooming is about more than just having a beautiful pet – good grooming habits are also essential to the health and well-being of your cat or dog. Grooming can help you care for your pet before any problems pop up.

Grooming keeps your pet looking good and helps keep your pet in top physical condition. Best of all, your pet will love grooming. Imagine spending a week with your hair in a rubber band that is too tight – that is what your pet feels when his fur is matted. Grooming releases tangled and matted hair, leaving your pet feeling comfortable.

Why Regular Grooming is Essential

Regular grooming including brushing is essential, even if your pet has short hair. Regular brushing reduces the hairballs that cats vomit or eliminate in the litter box. Hairballs are not just a nuisance – they can also cause stomach intestinal blockages. While hairballs are not as big an issue, they can occur in dogs.

Grooming should include a quick check to ensure your pet’s eyes are clear, shiny and moist-looking, and free from redness, irritation or cloudiness. Grooming should also include a check of your pet’s ears, which should be free from odors, redness, and inflammation.

Pets benefit from nail care provided during grooming. Cats and indoor dogs usually need nail trimming. Long nails, including those on the dewclaws, can grow into skin and toe pads to cause pain and infection. Professional groomers can trim nails without danger of cutting the quick, which can result in pain and bleeding.

Grooming may also include teeth brushing, which improves an animal’s health. Brushing a pet’s teeth also provides an excellent opportunity to determine whether a pet is developing a dental problem.

Pet grooming takes time but is essential to the health and well-being of your cat or dog. Whether your pet is a dog or a cat, young or old, in good health or frail, pet grooming is one of the easiest and best ways to care for your animal companion.

Here at Acres Mill Animal Hospital, we want to remind you that February is pet dental month. Dogs and cats need dental examinations and teeth cleaning services at least once a year to help prevent oral infections.

Benefits of Pet Dental Care

Cats and dogs are susceptible to the same dental health problems as their human owners. Pets can get gum infections, abscesses, decaying teeth, periodontal disease and gingivitis. For dogs, the most common oral health problem is periodontal disease, which causes inflamed, bleeding gums, infections, loose teeth and bone loss. Cats are susceptible to ulcerative stomatitis, which is severe inflammation of the mouth. It causes extreme pain, ulcers on the gums and bright red gums.

Signs of oral health problems in pets include exceptionally bad breath, bleeding of the gums, bloody or excessive drooling, lack of appetite, spitting food out and chronic pawing of the mouth and face.

To prevent mouth infections and oral health problems, dogs and cats should see our veterinarian at least once a year for a dental examination, x-rays and teeth cleaning. To simplify your pet’s veterinary care, we recommend scheduling your pet’s vaccinations, wellness exams and dental appointments at the same time.

Purchasing Dental Products at our Online Store

Here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we have an online store to help you purchase the dental products your pet needs to keep his or her mouth healthy. We offer several oral health products from Clenz-a-dent for cats and dogs, including chew sticks for dogs, prescription diets and food and water additives.

In addition to the products in our online store, our veterinarians can also give you tips on keeping your pet’s teeth clean at home. There are several pet-friendly toothpastes and toothbrushes available so that you can remove plaque and food particles from your pet's teeth at home.

Did you know that pets need regular dental care to maintain good oral health?

Purchasing food, dental chew toys, medications and supplements from our veterinarian ensures that you are getting high-quality, pet safe products that are specially designed for either cats or dogs. It also allows you to ask our vet questions and get specific information on the medicines and products you are thinking about purchasing.

Convenience

Purchasing your pet’s basic and advanced care needs is convenient whether you choose to purchase in our office on online. You can pick up pet food before or after your veterinary appointment or from the convenience of your home, using our online ecommerce store.

High-Quality, Pet Safe Products

You can be assured that when you purchase cat and dog foods, treats, pet supplies, medications and supplements that you are purchase the highest-quality products that are safe for pet consumption and use. This is especially important when you are looking for high-quality foods that are specially formulated for your growing kitten or puppy, adult or senior pet that needs special medicated food.

Veterinary Advice

Purchasing items directly from our veterinarian allows you to ask questions about the products and get them answered by our vet. If you are in our veterinary clinic, simply ask a member of staff about a particular product or ask for a recommendation. If you purchase items online, we offer a special text box where you can give our veterinarian details or ask questions and receive a call back.

VetBucks

We offer products for sale in our veterinary and online through Supply Essentials, which is located in Canton, GA and offers fast shipping. To add to the convenience of purchasing your pet’s food, medicine and supplies online, we offer $1 in VetBucks for every $10 you spend at our ecommerce site. Some stipulations do apply.

What reasons do you purchase your pet products and medicines from our veterinarian?

It’s tempting to spoil your furry friend with Thanksgiving dinner table scraps. After all, if that roasting turkey smells delicious to you, just think of how it smells to a dog or cat whose scent receptors are so much more sensitive than ours. But the wrong foods, or even too much of the right ones, can mean you and your pet will be making an emergency trip to the vet, and that’s nothing to be thankful for.

Dos and Don'ts for Your Pet at Thanksgiving Dinner

In their natural state, many Thanksgiving dinner foods are actually healthy pet snacks. In general, avoid cooked dishes that are high in fat or salt and stick with single-ingredient treats instead. Common Thanksgiving foods that may be toxic and should be completely avoided include:

Walnuts

Onions

Mushrooms

Raisins

Alcoholic beverages

Fruit pits and seeds

Fresh, cooked turkey is a safe choice for sharing with pets. Do offer small portions of lean white meat, it’s healthier than dark meat. Never give your pet turkey bones. Shattered pieces of bone can cause injury inside the mouth or the intestines as they move through the digestive tract.

Do give pets fresh, unsweetened cranberries, but don’t feed them canned sauce or jelly which is loaded with sugar. Cats prone to urinary-tract infections may benefit from eating cranberries regularly.

Do share some raw or cooked green beans with your pet. But save the rich, salty casserole for the humans on your guest list.

Raw or cooked, pumpkin is another healthy, anytime treat you can feel good about feeding your pet. In fact, a spoonful of canned pumpkin at mealtime can help dogs who frequently suffer digestive upsets.

Do share a spoonful of cooked sweet potato with your pet before all the butter, sugar and marshmallows have been added. Slices of raw or dehydrated sweet potato are another natural food that makes a healthy treat any day of the year.

Lastly, don't overfeed your pet. Even healthy foods can cause upsets if the portions are too big. Please call our office is you have any questions about keeping your pet healthy this Thanksgiving.

]]>Tue, 25 Nov 2014 15:27:44 -0800http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_42794_are_you_ready_to_adopt_a_dog.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_42794_are_you_ready_to_adopt_a_dog.htmlFactors to help your decision to adopt a Dog into the family

Adopting a dog can be both thrilling and scary, especially if you’ve never adopted a pet before. These tips to adopting a dog will help your transition to life as a pet owner be as smooth as possible.

Pick the Right Breed

Picking the right breed of dog for your household is incredibly important to your personal happiness, and the happiness of the dog as well. What kind of dog should you adopt depends on the personal preferences and needs of the people in your household. When deciding which breed of dog to adopt, consider the following:

Energy level. Some dogs are high energy, others are more laid back.

Space requirements. As a general rule, big dogs need more space, and little dogs need less space.

Pick the Age of the Dog

Many families with small children are interested in puppies, but some pet owners may find happiness with older, more mature dogs. The difference between older and young dogs is usually in energy levels and training. Puppies can be high-maintenance, and usually require lots of TLC as they learn the rules of living in a household. Older dogs usually come pre-trained, and can be more laid back than puppies.

"Test Drive" the Dog

Once you’ve picked a dog that you’re considering adopting, ask if you can “test drive” the dog by taking him or her for a walk around the block. This will help the dog burn off any excess energy, and help you judge whether or not that dog is a good fit for you.

Be Prepared

Once you’ve adopted the dog, you’ll need to have products at home to help you take care of the dog. Over time, you may acquire a variety of products for your dog’s enjoyment and comfort, but here are a few of the essentials you’ll want right from the start.

Food dish and water dish.

Dog crate and dog bed.

Chew toys.

Collar and leash.

Grooming brush.

Nail trimmers.

Knowing how to prepare in advance will help you make a smooth transition to a life with a new pet. What other suggestions do you have for adopting a dog? Leave your comments at the end of this article.

You may already know that flea and tick activity tends to peak during the summer months -- but did you know that these dangerous pests can pose a year-round threat to your beloved animal, even during the colder months? Owners should never slack off on preventative care just because the temperature drops. Here at Acres Mill Animal Hospital, we can help you maintain that necessary protection for your pet.

Fleas, ticks and worms can all remain surprisingly busy after summer fades. While ticks generally go on the rampage during the spring, deer tick activity actually reaches its height in October and November, as the eggs hatched in the summer mature. (Half of all deer ticks carry the dreaded Lyme disease spirochete.) Fleas may tend to disappear from your yard during the colder months -- but as long as your home is warm, they have a potential incubation site where they can continue to plague your pet. As for heartworms, the relatively warm Georgia winters do nothing to kill them off, making them an ongoing threat.

Bravecto for Flea and Tick Prevention

Pest control in the home matters all year round. Keep vacuuming your carpets, upholstery and pet bedding on a regular basis to get those eggs out of the nice, warm environment of your home. Bathe your pet and/or schedule periodic grooming sessions to wash potential troublemakers away. But make sure you also arrange for ongoing preventative medications to protect your friend from flea, tick and heartworm infestations.

Acres Mill Animal Hospital is making flea and tick prevention easier by offering Bravecto, a chewable medication that protects dogs for up to 12 weeks at a time, for just $49.99. Get it from our clinic, or order from our online store. We can also protect against worms and other unwanted guests. Do your pet a favor this winter -- introduce him to our veterinarians in Canton!

What methods do you use to remove fleas and ticks from your home? Tell us!

If you have never even considered brushing your pet's teeth, you are missing out on an important step in your beloved animal's dental health and wellness. But even if you do brush his teeth, do you know whether you are doing it correctly? Here at Acres Mill Animal Hospital, we want to help owners help their pets enjoy healthier teeth and gums even between regularly scheduled checkups and cleanings. Brushing your pet's teeth properly and regularly can make a huge difference.

First you will need right tools. You can use either a specialized brush made for dogs or cats, an extra-soft baby's toothbrush, or simple gauze wrapped over your finger. Do not try to use toothpaste made for humans -- it might make your pet sick, especially since animals tend to swallow the toothpaste. Pet shops offer toothpastes made just for animals in flavors that appeal to them.

To get your pet acquainted with the routine, begin simply by rubbing his gums with the toothpaste. If he likes the flavor, he may be happy to graduate to a brush. Brush the outer surfaces of teeth gently, using little circles to sweep away plaque before it can harden into tartar. Small breeds with tiny, crowded teeth may require daily tooth brushing, but even larger breeds should have a few brushings each week.

Dental Care from Our Veterinarian in Canton

Brushing offers more than just teeth cleaning. In addition to the dental hygiene and extra bonding time between you and your pet, brushing sessions provide a natural opportunity to inspect your animal's mouth for signs of disease. If you do see (or smell) anything unusual, contact our veterinarian in Canton to schedule pet dental care. Also, keep in mind that brushing is a supplement to professional cleanings, not a substitute for them. Schedule your pet's next cleaning with us, and ask us any questions you may still have about how to brush your pet's teeth!

Have your brushed your pet's teeth before? Tell us about the experience!

]]>Tue, 08 Jul 2014 07:21:14 -0700http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_39517_summer_pet_care_tips.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_39517_summer_pet_care_tips.htmlWhen the weather is hot outside, you can bet that your pet will be dealing with many of the same summertime complaints that you have - and maybe even more. We are very often asked about good summer pet care tips for pets, especially at this time of year, so we have decided to devote today's blog to this subject.

Top Summer Pet Care Tips

Watch the Water: A very important part of summer pet care is monitoring your pet's water intake. Make sure that they are drinking the water you put out, and don't forget to replace the water every day. Test the water to make sure it's cool enough. The simple way to do so is to do a finger test and decide if it would be cool enough for you to drink. If not, then you need to get cooler water or add ice cubes to bring down the temperature of the water. Always keep water out of the sun and make sure that your pet has easy access to it at all times.

Keep Up Heartworm Treatment: Regardless of the type of heartworm treatment that you do, make sure that you keep up a regular schedule for it. Try to schedule the heartworm treatment for the same day every month to make it easy!

Flea and Tick Control: Hotter weather means more crawly critters that might try to take up residence on your pet. Remember to keep up the flea and tick control on the same day every month to keep them at bay.

Walk Later or Earlier: With the summer sun being pretty uncomfortable at times, you might want to try to confine any walks to the evening or the early morning. This will allow you and your pet to walk in comfort and can reduce the risk of heat overexposure.

Our Veterinarian in Canton Welcomes You and Your Pets

As your veterinarian in Canton, we always welcome new pet patients as well as established ones. Please feel free to set up an appointment to make sure you are summer ready with your pet!

]]>Thu, 03 Jul 2014 11:37:21 -0700http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_37522_lost_pet_microchipping_to_the_rescue.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_37522_lost_pet_microchipping_to_the_rescue.htmlHave you ever lost your pet? As pet owners ourselves, our Canton animal hospital team understands that there is nothing quite as awful as that moment of panic when you look out at your backyard and suddenly Fido is nowhere to be found. Even if he’s just wandered into the neighbor’s yard and he’s only missing for a few minutes, the temporary loss of a beloved pet can be a source of great anxiety and worry. Unfortunately, for some pet owners that lose their pets, they never get to enjoy that “happy reunion.” A microchip is essential to helping reunite your pet with your family.

Microchipping Pets Saves Lives

Most lost pets are never reunited with their owners. Worse, many of these lost pets ultimately end up in overcrowded animal shelters, where between 30 and 60 percent of the pets are euthanized. This is a tragic ending that no pet deserves – especially if you can prevent it from happening by microchipping your pet.

Below, our veterinarian in Canton shares three things every pet owner needs to know about microchipping.

#1: Microchipping is safe.

A microchip is approximately the size of a grain of rice and is encoded with a special serial number. Our veterinarian in Canton will implant the microchip between your pet’s shoulder blades. Should your pet become lost, any animal hospital in Canton – or throughout the United States – can scan your pet’s microchip. Using a secure database, the veterinarian will match the microchip serial number to your contact information, facilitating a happy reunion.

#2: Microchipping is easy.

Our animal hospital in Canton typically microchips pets at the same time as spay/neuter procedures. If your pet is not microchipped, however, our Canton animal hospital can perform this easy procedure in 15 minutes or less.

#3: Microchipping is reliable.

Unlike dog tags that can become lost or outdated, it takes only minutes to update your contact information in the database – so you can enjoy peace of mind wherever you live or travel.

]]>Thu, 01 May 2014 14:41:44 -0700http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_36897_our_canton_veterinarian_weighs_in_on_pet_obesity.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_36897_our_canton_veterinarian_weighs_in_on_pet_obesity.htmlSince many dogs and cats gain weight over a period of time, what the scale says at an annual wellness exam is sometimes a big shock to an owner. If the animal has been gaining small amounts for several years, the owner might not have noticed that it has become obese. Because obesity can be the gateway for a variety of other illnesses, it is important to take action in order to help your pet achieve a healthier weight.

Why Pet Weight Loss is So Important

Did you know that more than half of U.S. cats and dogs carry excess weight? At least 20 percent of them fall into the obese category. The most common reason for extra pounds is improper pet nutrition, usually consumption of too many calories from food and/or treats. Pet weight loss is extremely important because these animals are at risk for osteoarthritis, lameness, and the need for lifetime pain medication.

Other conditions linked to excess pounds include insulin resistance and diabetes, heart and respiratory disease, high blood pressure, some types of cancer, stroke, and liver or kidney failure, according to our veterinarian in Canton. Continuing veterinary care for any of these conditions can be expensive in terms of finances and time. Orthopedic surgery alone might cost thousands of dollars.

Dogs only 15 percent over their ideal weight can experience a life expectancy shortened by up to two years. Once a cat becomes obese, it could remain obese even after it gets proper pet nutrition and no longer receives too many calories.

How We Can Help

The first step in pet weight loss is identifying an ideal healthy weight. Our Canton veterinarian will help you set a goal for your dog or cat based on its age, breed, and bone structure and will develop a pet nutrition and lifestyle plan to reach it. Changes could be as simple as cutting out table scraps or increasing activity level. Our hospital staff will continue to help you revise your pet’s wellness plan as the animal reaches its senior years.

Pet boarding at our veterinary hospital in Canton can spare both you and your pet a good deal of unhappiness. Knowing that your pet is safe and sound will help you enjoy your time away more thoroughly, while your pet will experience human company and affection instead of an empty house. But pet boarding in Canton on not something you can or should do on the spur of the moment. Here are some things you need to know before you make the arrangements.

Getting Ready for Pet Boarding

Are your pet's vaccinations up to date? If you need to schedule pet vaccinations in Canton, you must schedule this essential wellness procedure before we can accept your pet. We make this rule to ensure the safety of all the animals who are staying at our clinic. Contact Acres Mill Animal Hospital and we will administer any needed updates for pet vaccinations in Canton.

Does your pet have any health problems? If you pet requires a special diet, medications or other veterinary attention due to an ongoing health condition, we need to know so we can maintain proper daily care during his boarding stay -- and so we will be better prepared for any emergencies that might occur.

How can we get in touch with you? Please supply us with emergency contact information so we can reach you during your pet's stay with us. If you are not the emergency contact, then give us the information for the appropriate person.

What does your pet need to feel more at home? Does your pet have a favorite blanket or toy? If so, make sure to leave those items with us! You also have the option of purchasing extra play periods or even schedule, grooming, one of our many pet services in Canton.

Contact Our Veterinary Hospital in Canton

We can help you make the right preparations for boarding or other pet services in Canton. Contact Acres Mill Animal Hospital today!

If the idea of traveling with your pet makes you anxious, rest assured that there are things you can do to make the experience easier and more fun for all concerned. Here are some suggestions from our Canton veterinarian atAcres Mill Veterinary Clinic:

Make sure your pet is healthy. A wellness evaluation can ensure that your pet is fit to make the journey with you. Get your pet's vaccinations updated before your trip, not only for his own sake but also because many border crossings require documented verification of current shots, especially rabies vaccinations.

Make the trip comfortable. Put your pet's favorite blanket, toys or treats in the pet carrier so he can feel at home during a long trip. If you are traveling by car, remember to make plenty of rest stops to allow your pet to exercise and drink fresh water.

Stay at pet-friendly lodgings. The last thing you want is to be turned away at your lodgings because they do not welcome pets, so make sure your dog or cat is allowed to stay with you. Do some Internet searches for hotels that offer optional extra services for pets, such as doggie treats and pet bedding.

Another Option: Pet Boarding at Our Animal Hospital

If traveling with your pet is impractical or impossible even with the tips listed above, consider professional pet boarding at our animal hospital. We can provide pets with the care, affection and monitoring they need while freeing you to relax and enjoy your trip. During the hectic holiday season, make sure to reserve your pet a spot as soon as you know your travel plans.

What was the craziest pet travel incident you ever experienced? Tell us about it!

Ben Franklin might as well have been talking about basic pet care when he proclaimed that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Routine pet vaccinations are as essential to pet safety and wellness as any preventive measures you can take and are a fraction of the cost of treating unnecessary emergencies and pet hospital visits that could otherwise be averted.

Annual vaccinations insure your pet against potentially costly and life-threatening illnesses like parvo, distemper, Lyme disease, and rabies. Your pets can become infected when they are bitten by rabid animals. Pets vaccinations are important to prevent them from acquiring the disease from wildlife, and transmitting it to humans.

Canton Vets Believe in Proactive Pet Safety

Our veterinarians, Dr. Michele Stewart and Dr. Dwight Alleyne are pet safety advocates who believe that preventive care and vaccinations are the safest, most effective way to keep your pet active and healthy. They will ensure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date during each office visit and encourage annual wellness exams as part of any breed’s basic pet care.

Current vaccinations not only ensure pet safety, they are also required for boarding, grooming, and most recreational pursuits at dog parks and other pet-inclusive outings. They are not just a good idea to ensure that your pet is not a carrier of any communicable disease; they also protect your pet from exposure to other unvaccinated carriers, which may require costly treatment at a Canton vet pet hospital.

The goal of a vaccination program is to provide benefit in the form of protection against serious diseases that pose a threat to your pet while minimizing the risk of adverse side effects. Drs. Stewart and Alleyne can help you evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of each vaccine and the prevalence of regional diseases in the Canton vet area.

Are your pet’s vaccinations up to date? Let us know your thoughts on preventive pet care in the comments section, below.

We at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, Georgia understand the excitement of adopting a puppy or kitten and want to help you prepare your home to create a safe, loving environment for your newest and furriest family member.

Top Three Tips from Canton Veterinarians on How to Puppy Proof Your Home

All puppies possess a natural curiosity for the world around them; to keep your puppy healthy and happy Canton veterinarians recommend that you puppy proof your home to create a safe environment for your new pet to explore.

1. Secure Your Home: Puppies and kittens have a knack for getting into the things they should not. It is especially important to securely store or put out of your puppy's or kitten’s reach any potentially harmful cleaning products, plants, and food in your house. Make certain any electrical cords are neatly kept in a cord storage/organization device. It is also a good idea to put away items you do not want your puppy or kitten to chew on or play with (i.e.. valuables, shoes, socks, and remote controls).

2. Proactively Puppy Proof: Many new pet owners make the mistake of bringing a puppy home before preparing. Do not wait for your puppy or kitten to chew plants, get into the kitchen cabinet, and dig in the mess of wires behind the television. We at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic advise you to store or secure any potential hazards before bringing your puppy home.

3. See Through Your Puppy's or Kitten’s Eyes: Our Canton veterinarians at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic advise that you try inspecting each room in your home from your puppy's or kitten’s point of view (close to the floor). Often our homes hold potential hazards which cannot be seen from above. By looking around your house, from this new angle, you will likely spot something which would have otherwise ended up in your puppy's playful jaws.

Our veterinarians at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic are available to answer any questions you might have about adopting a puppy or kitten and properly securing your home. We can also advise on puppy and kitten vaccines, as well as when to get your pet spayed or neutered. While most everyone agrees that a puppy or kitten is a joy to have, they do get themselves into trouble.

With summer now in full swing, many people are simply getting outdoors more often. Pets going for long walks or hikes, or taken to dog parks also increases during the summer. Your local Canton veterinarians, at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, warn pet owners of the potential dangers of dog parks.

Tips from Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic to Avoid Dog Park Dangers

Every dog loves a good romp in the park with other fellow canine friends. What some pet owners do not realize is that dog parks can present real dangers for pets if pet parents are not careful. Below, Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic offers a few tips on how to keep your pet safe at dog parks.

Leash or no leash: If your dog has trouble listening, make sure to keep them on their leash. Dogs that do not listen to owners can cause trouble for other off-leash, as well as leashed dogs. Our Canton vets caution pet parents to bring any form of treats or food with them as training aides for listening, as food will attract other dogs and could potentially start fights if food aggressive dogs are present.

Dirty Water: Our Acres Mill Veterinarians warn that dog parks can put a dogs’ pet wellness at risk. Dirty water can be a breeding ground for several diseases. The most common parasite dogs can pick up from drinking dirty water is giardia. Our veterinary clinic recommends pet owners bring their own water and water bowls to protect their pets.

Aggression: If you feel any dog at the dog park could poses a threat to your dog, due to aggression, our veterinarians at Acres Mill, recommend that pet parents simple leave. It is better to put your pets care first then risk your dog getting into a fight or getting attacked.

Our veterinarians and staff at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic are always available to answer questions and concerns about dog park dangers or any other veterinary or pet care questions.

While it is tempting to offer your pet table scrapes from time to time, some food is poisonous for pets to consume. Our veterinary team at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, Georgia, is committed to keeping your pet healthy and safe. That means not giving your pet dangerous human food that can make them sick.

Types of Dangerous Human Food for Pets

While most know that foods, such as chocolate, candy, coffee and beer, should not be given to pets; there are others that are also dangerous to pets that might surprise you. Our Canton veterinarians point out that a number of fruits and vegetables are poisonous for pets, such as avocados. Avocados contain persin, a chemical that causes heart damage as well as vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats.

Our team at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, also strongly advise against giving your pets onions or any member of the onion family, such as garlic. Onions are more dangerous for cats than they are for dogs. Eating a large amount of onions over a lifetime can cause red blood cell damage, anemia, and digestive problems.

Certain nuts are also bad news for pets, according to our Canton veterinarians. Macadamia nuts and walnuts are the most dangerous, particularly for dogs. After eating nuts, some dogs have trouble standing, an increased body temperature and vomiting. Without treatment, your pet may suffer from kidney failure.

Dangerous Sweet Treats

Certain sweets can be deadly for pets. Chocolate contains methylxanthine, which can lead to vomiting, abnormal heartbeat and seizures if ingested in large enough quantities. Too much methylxanthine can cause death in some pets. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol found in sugar-free treats, is also dangerous for pets. The sugar alcohol causes a pet's blood sugar to drop, which can lead to vomiting, liver failure and seizures. It can be fatal if a pet is not treated right away.

Your pet looks to you for all of its basic needs, and anyone who has spent a day in the hot sun knows that staying cool is one of them. Here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, our goal is to assist you in keeping your pets healthy. During the summer, that means understanding how to keep your pets cool.

Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic Recommendations for Keeping Pets Cool

1. Keep your pets indoors during particularly hot days in Canton. Most types of pets don't do well at temperatures above 95 degrees, especially if they're outdoors for an extended period or they are highly active during their time outside. If you do take your pets out on hot days, try to do so in the morning or evening when it's cooler, and provide plenty of water so they stay hydrated.

2. Place your pet in front of a fan or air conditioner if he gets especially hot. You may notice signs like panting, lowered activity level, and drooling. Sitting in front of cool air can help cool your pet down; just like it helps you cool down. If you notice that your pet is exhibiting symptoms of heat stroke, which include: excessive panting, difficulty breathing, a very fast heartbeat, and bloodshot eyes, call Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic right away.

3. Use water to your advantage. Cool water can work wonders in cooling down your pet's body temperature. Cats generally don't love water, but a damp towel can feel very refreshing and help cool down a cat that is overheating. Dogs may enjoy playing in a kiddie pool or lying on a wet towel.

4. Groom your pet regularly. Many dogs and cats shed their winter coat and get a thinner summer one, and brushing your pet can help the process happen faster when the temperature warms up. In addition, brushing helps remove loose hairs throughout the summer and keeps the coat untangled, which helps with air circulation.

What are some of your pet's favorite things to do during the summer in Canton?

Parasite Protection: A Critical Aspect of Pet Wellness

Parasites are an unfortunate fact of life for animals. Some varieties may be present in your pet from birth, while others can hop a ride and cause serious health problems at any time during his life. You must provide your pet with effective parasite protection. That is why we at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic prescribe Sentinel parasite protection for your pets.

Heartworms - These spaghetti-like worms invade as larvae and attach the cardiopulmonary system, slowly destroying your pet's heart and lungs over a period of years. Your pet may not even show symptoms of this parasite until his health is seriously undermined.

Fleas - Fleas not only suck your pet's blood, but they also cause dermatitis (skin irritation) and can spread deadly diseases, including bubonic plague. To make matters worse, they will happily leap from pets onto humans.

Roundworms - Animals may "inherit" roundworm infestations from their mothers, or they may get them through exposure to contaminated animals or substances. Roundworms cause serious health issues in humans and pets alike.

Hookworms - Hookworms invade the digestive system, causing pain and gastrointestinal problems. These worms can pass out of the animal and infest humans who tread on them unwittingly.

Whipworms - Technically a form of roundworm, whipworms also cause digestive havoc and are especially prevalent in warm, humid parts of the world.

A Simple Treatment Regimen for a Lifetime of Prevention

Once we prescribe Sentinel for your pet (it is only available through veterinarians), all you have to do is remember to feed the Flavor Tabs to your pet once a month like clockwork. Pick a particular date to help you remember, and catch up on a missed dosage immediately. We want to save your pet from worms!

Has your pet ever had worms? What kind of treatment did he have to undergo?

Do you want your pet to stay active this summer without succumbing to heatstroke? Here are some safe tips for summer fun with your pet, courtesy of Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic:

Go where the water is. If you are planning a family trip to a nearby watering hole, why not bring your dog with you? Dogs generally enjoy splashing around in shallow water, and a refreshing dip will help him stay cool while still enjoying the great outdoors. You can even set up a kiddie pool or at home or let your pup run through the sprinkler. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to provide plenty of clean drinking water as well, because he can still get dehydrated on a hot day.

Visit the park. If your local park has an abundance of shade trees, it could prove a comfortable and enjoyable way to give your pet some much-needed exercise. Bring a flying disc or a favorite ball and watch him have fun! Again, make sure drinkable water is close at hand, and watch closely for signs of fatigue. One caveat: Do not expose a brachycephalic (flat-nosed) pet to extreme temperatures for more than a few minutes at a time. In fact, evenings and early mornings are probably the smartest times to give any pet an extended romp outdoors during the summer.

Go for walks. Nothing beats a walk for a simple dose of daily exercise, and if you choose your time of day wisely, almost any pet can safely enjoy a summertime stroll. Limit the walk to a set duration or distance to make sure you get back before things heat up.

Fun in the Sun for Canton Animals

We hope these ideas will help your pet enjoy plenty of activity regardless of temperature. If he does display the effects of heatstroke despite all precautions, bring him to our clinic immediately. We wish your companion a safe and healthy summer!

Did you know that regular veterinary grooming can improve your pet's health? Here are some of the reasons why:

Detection of skin problems - When we are combing the tangles out of your pet's hair or giving him a bath, we have an opportunity to look at the skin for signs of dermatitis caused by allergies, parasites or disease. We can then isolate the cause and recommend treatment. Washing oils and dead cells away from the skin surface also discourages bacterial growth.

Ear health - Grooming sessions let us look inside your pet's ears for signs of mites or infections. Ear mites are tiny creatures that can cause itching and other problems, while a severe bacterial infection can damage your pet's hearing if it is not detected and dealt with.

Neatly trimmed toenails - Indoor pets get little chance to wear their nails down naturally, so the nails tend to grow and grow until they become prone to breakage or pull away from the cuticle -- a painful situation that may lead to infected paws. Trimming a pet's nails is not necessarily easy, but our trained team can perform this task efficiently and safely.

Anal gland expression - Cats and dogs have anal glands that they use to mark their territory. When these glands become compacted, infection, abscesses and even ruptures can result. We can express blocked glands so these complications can be avoided.

A great-looking, pleasant-smelling pet - We cannot leave out this most obvious of benefits. A clean, well-groomed pet will enjoy not having to scratch constantly or pull his toenails out of the carpeting, while you and your family will enjoy his company that much more.

Rely On Us for Grooming and Other Pet Services

Let us groom your pet as one of the many healthy pet services at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. We always have your furry friend's well-being in mind!

Here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic we want to help pet owners keep their pet's teeth and gums healthy. Let us look at some easy dental but essential hygiene practices.

Caring for pet's teeth starts with the choice of food you give him. Wet food can get lodged in and around teeth and gums. Mixed with saliva, these food particles can form plaque, which acts as a feeding ground for destructive bacteria. Nylon chew toys can help get rid of some of this plaque buildup, but switching your pet to a diet of dry food is an even more effective way of fighting tooth decay and gum disease. Some products are even specially designed to help scrub teeth free of plaque. We can help you make the right choices for your pet's dental hygiene by recommending the right dry food for his needs.

You should also learn how to brush your pet's teeth. You should be able to get him used to the notion by rubbing some pet-formulated toothpaste on his mouth with your finger. Once he realizes that the pet toothpaste tastes like beef, chicken or another favorite, he will welcome regular brushings! You can buy pet toothpaste at most pet stores; you can also get a specially-designed pet toothbrush for less than $10. One brushing per week is sufficient unless your pet has a dental problem, in which case you should brush his teeth every other day.

Rely On Us for Dental Evaluations and Other Pet Services

Last but certainly not least, you must schedule annual dental examinations and cleanings for your pet. No matter how rigorously you brush his teeth, only a professional cleaning can attack the most stubborn plaque. We can also check the mouth for possible cancers or gum disease and prescribe treatment as needed. Our Canton veterinary hospital is happy to be your resource for pet dental care and other important pet services!

Is your home safe for pets – or could potential pet poisons lead to a serious health emergency? Our animal clinic frequently treats pets for accidental poisoning. In fact, accidental poisoning is the leading cause for pet health emergencies. As part of our vet services, our veterinarian works closely with pet owners to ensure their homes are properly pet-proofed and free from potential pet poisons.

Emergency Vet Services: Tips to Avoid Accidental Pet Poisoning

Below, our veterinarian lists three common pet poisons – and how you can help keep your pet safe.

#1: Chocolate

Leftover pieces of candy can quickly turn into a nightmare should your dog chow down on these chocolate treats. Chocolate contains the chemical theobromine, a diuretic and cardiac stimulant. Consuming too much theobromine can cause diarrhea, vomiting, panting, and excessive thirst/urination.

How to prevent chocolate poisoning: Remind children not to feed pets chocolate candy. When baking, promptly clean up any spills involving baker's chocolate.

#2: Rodent poison

Sure, no one wants rats, mice or other vermin near their home, but rodent poison can harm more than just these pests. This poison contains bromethalin, which can cause a cerebral edema and severe neurological problem. Curious dogs or cats that consume rodent poison require immediate emergency care from a veterinarian to prevent death.

How to prevent rodent poisoning: Think twice before using this poison in your garage or backyard, especially if you have a dog or cat that is allowed to roam freely. Otherwise, you will need to restrict your pet’s access to areas where poison is laid.

#3: Antifreeze

Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a chemical that tastes sweet to pets but if ingested will lead to near certain death. A pet that links up an antifreeze spill in the driveway or garage will need immediate medical attention to prevent organ failure; otherwise, death can occur within days.

How to prevent antifreeze poisoning: Keep a close eye out for accidental spills or links in the driveway and garage; clean up promptly.

Your pet has had an altercation with a skunk, and the skunk apparently won. Does this scenario sound familiar? Skunk smell, the bane of many a pet owner, is notoriously noxious and difficult to remove. If your pet is normally an indoor animal, your entire house can inherit the odor unless you cope with problem immediately. Fortunately, here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic we offer pet services that can help.

Skunks are not aggressive creatures, so they require some extra help defending themselves against other animals. That help comes in the form of a musk that they spray. The resulting stench typically reacts with dampness to grow even stronger, so if you think that merely washing your pet with water will help, think again! Pouring tomato juice over your pet will not help either, despite what you may have heard. The tomato juice temporarily tricks your nose into thinking that the skunk smell has departed, but it cannot actually deodorize.

Skunk spray must be either physically removed or chemically changed. You can employ the former method by bathing your pet in a mixture containing a quart of hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of liquid soap, rinsed off with water. If this method does not remove the smell, our Canton veterinarians can chemically alter the skunk musk itself here at our animal hospital. We have access to a special shampoo containing an ingredient called thiotrol; the thiotrol renders any remaining musk odorless.

Grooming and Other Pet Services to Help Eliminate Skunk Smell

Our Canton animal hospital offers comprehensive pet grooming among other services, so bring your smelly pet to us and we will use the correct shampoos and other cleansing methods to correct the problem. If your pet is encountering skunks or other wild animals, you must also make sure his vaccinations are up to date. Let us help keep your pet healthy and odor free!

Did you actually see your pet get "skunked?" Describe the action for our readers!

How to Have a Flea-Free Pet

If your pet is constantly scratching or biting at his skin, he may be suffering from a flea infestation. There are several species of flea, including Ctenocephalides felis (the "cat flea") and Ctenocephalides canis (the "dog flea"), and while each species has its preferred target, either of them can pose both an irritation and a legitimate health risk to pets and humans alike. Let us look at how fleas make themselves such a nuisance -- and how our Canton veterinarians can help you keep them at bay.

What to Do About Fleas

Fleas begin as eggs, hatch into larvae, then go into a cocoon-like phase as pupae before finally reaching the adult stage. The adult fleas bite their victims, drawing blood through the skin to sustain themselves as they prepare to create the next generation of eggs. These bites can cause serious health issues, ranging from tapeworms to life-threatening infections. They also irritate the skin, causing your pet to scratch until other infections threaten as well.

Regular grooming is a smart and effective way get adult fleas off of your pet before they can do further harm. Our animal hospital uses medicated baths and/or oral medications to treat such infestations. Grooming also allows us to examine the skin for dermatitis or other conditions that require their own treatments.

Prevention is the best flea control strategy. Keeping your lawn mowed may help discourage outdoor flea issues, while boric acid can safely flea-proof your carpets, bedding and other parts of the house your pet frequents. Monthly preventative medications can stop any fleas that try to make a home on your pet.

Our Animal Hospital Has the Pet Services You Need

Our veterinarian can advise you on safe ways to reduce your home's flea population, what products to use and what medications to give your pet. Let us provide the flea prevention, parasite treatment, and any other pet services your animal may require.

Has a flea infestation ever sent your pet to the animal hospital? Tell us about it!

As our pets age, they require additional pet wellness care in order to stay healthy, happy and active. Pet owners frequently ask our veterinarian about the best ways to support their older pet’s health. From nutrition/dietary concerns to pain management questions, we’re happy to help! Read on for the answers to your most frequently asked senior pet care questions.

Understanding Senior Pet Wellness Care

How do I know my pet needs “senior” care and why is it important?

Cats are generally considered to be seniors between the age of 10 years or later, as are smaller dogs. Some large dogs may need senior care starting at age eight or nine. As a pet owner, you may notice physical symptoms that suggest the need for senior care. These symptoms include a general “slowing down” in physical activity and a decline in taste, smell, sight or hearing. What you cannot notice, however, is that important physical changes are also happening inside your pet. This is why regular vet visits are so important; a semi-annual checkup helps our team stay on top of your pet’s health before illness strikes.

What should I expect during a senior pet checkup?

Our Canton veterinarian will perform a full physical and conduct diagnostic blood work. This blood work helps us screen for potential illnesses or health problems before outward symptoms are present. For example, blood chemistry panel results can help diagnose problems a kidney infection, problems with the gall bladder or pancreas, as well as liver disease.

Should I change my pet’s diet now that my pet is older?

Depending on your pet’s wellness needs, dietary changes, including the addition of dietary supplements, may be necessary. It is important that you do not overfeed your pet. A few extra pounds on your pet can be the equivalent to an extra 10 to 20 pounds on a human. If your pet is less active than he once was, our veterinarian can make dietary recommendations that reflect this change in activity level.

Do you have a senior pet care question that we did not answer? Post it below!

Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic is a provider of, and advocate for, quality pet care. Our veterinary hospital works hard to insure that pet owners have all of the information they need to properly take care of their pets and keep them healthy. In addition to the insights we provide through our website, blog and newsletter, our veterinarian also invites you to join our Facebook page as another way of keeping in touch with us.

We joined Facebook in November of 2011 and have enjoyed communicating with our Canton Facebook friends ever since. Some of the topics covered in our recent article and video links have included playdate ideas for dogs, pet nutrition tips and suggestions on preparing for pet surgery. Our veterinarian also uses this as a forum to provide interesting animal factoids, season-appropriate tips, and updates on events at our pet hospital. We are happy to include comments and reviews from pet owners, and to pass along requests for help finding lost pets. You’ll even find some great pet photos that are sure to make you laugh.

Talk to Our Canton Veterinarian

We hope you will use this Facebook page to learn more about our veterinary hospital and the pet services we provide. You might want to ask our veterinarian questions about pet wellness or learn more about signs of heartworm. This could be an outlet where you find out more about pet dental care or senior pet care, or request additional insights into options for pet surgery. You can confirm pet information you might find elsewhere on the web or ask us to share our knowledge about pet vaccinations and other topics of pet health. Our pet hospital is always happy to answer your questions on the benefits of pet grooming, professional pet boarding or any of the pet services we offer.

What other information would you like included on the Facebook page for our Canton veterinary hospital? Connect with the pet care team at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, “Where quality care and excellent customer service go paw in hand.”

Left to fend for themselves, wild animals instinctively seek the foods containing the right nutrients for health. But our domestic pets rely on us to supply the right mix of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and dietary fiber, which is why dietary counseling is one of the most important pet services we offer here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. Here are some basic facts to help you feed your dog or cat correctly:

Cats are not dogs, and vice versa. Dogs can get their nutrition from a surprisingly wide variety of plant and animal sources. Cats, on the other hand, rely heavily on meat. They also need foods with higher water content because they do not get thirsty as often as dogs. Dogs do equally well with either kibble or canned dog food. It is important to note, however, that cat food is too high in protein and taurine to feed to dogs, while a cat fed only dog food will suffer from malnutrition.

Nutritional needs change over time. Puppies and kittens need extra calories and protein to support their growth and activity levels. Adults generally need fewer meals per day, otherwise they may become overweight. This is especially true in a pet's senior years when activity levels decrease even further.

Reserve your human food for humans. Table scraps are not likely to contain the precise mix of nutrients essential to animal health, and they typically contain excessive fat, sugar or sodium. In addition, small fish or chicken bones could splinter or lodge in your pet's throat, creating an emergency.

Need Pet Nutritional Advice from a Veterinarian?

If you need more information, contact our animal hospital. Our Canton veterinarian can help you choose the right dietary options for your pet's needs, including dietary plans for obese pets that need to slim down. Rely on our pet services for a happy, well-fed family member!

Our Canton veterinarian understands that any pet surgery at our veterinary clinic, no matter how routine, can be a stressful experience for pets and their owners. As part of our commitment to wellness pet services, our goal is to make your pet’s surgery as easy as possible. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare helps take away the stress and make the process easier. Here’s how to prepare your pet:

Our Veterinary Clinic Shares Tips for Pet Surgery Preparation

#1: Complete diagnostic blood work. If anesthesia will be administered, your pet will need to undergo diagnostic blood work in advance of the operation. This blood work can help our vet identify undiagnosed health conditions that could cause complications. We recommend blood work as part of our wellness pet services.

#2: Restrict food and water prior to surgery. Depending on the type of operation, we recommend no food 12 hours in advance. An empty stomach reduces the risk for an unpleasant reaction should your pet experience an unexpected allergic reaction to the anesthesia.

#3: Be ready to care for your pet at home. Routine operations like spaying or neutering are typically performed in the morning; pets will be monitored following the procedure and are then released once the anesthesia wears off. Keep in mind that your pet will be very drowsy and may need assistance being placed in your car and carried into your home.

#4: Understand activity restrictions. After surgery, your pet will need to be confined for recovery. If you have a puppy or kitten, your pet may be eager to play. However, it’s important to follow the veterinarian’s recovery instructions and limit activity. You may slowly build up to short walks, but we recommend no off-leash time for at least 5 to 7 days.

#5: Help manage your pet’s pain. Our vet will send your pet home with medication for pain management. We will also explain how to change or clean a pet’s bandage, should that be necessary. Some dogs may need an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from licking their stitches.

As you plan your family’s holiday travels this year, don’t forget to make plans for your pets, too! Whether you are visiting family for the holidays or welcoming out-of-town guests into your own home, your pets will benefit from the safety and security of our veterinary hospital boarding facility. Here are four reasons why pet boarding at a vet hospital is a smart choice:

Veterinarian-Supervised Pet Care Makes a Difference

#1: Familiar, safe and secure facilities. Your pet is already familiar with our veterinary hospital and our veterinarian is familiar with your pet. Choosing in a new or unfamiliar kennel can cause stress and anxiety for pets. With our veterinary hospital, you can rest assured that your pet is in safe, familiar hands.

#2: Daily exercise and attention. Thinking about leaving your pet home alone? Even if a neighbor checks on your pet daily, that’s no replacement for regular attention, long walks and companionship. Pets left home alone may become anxious, nervous and stressed. Some may even try to escape. Our vet team will give your pet plenty of attention and daily exercises, including outdoor supervised play for dogs.

#3: Life-saving care. In the event of a health emergency, our veterinary hospital already has access to your pet’s health records. Our veterinarian is familiar with your pet’s medical history and can provide immediate, life-saving care. If your pet is home alone, it could be hours before a neighbor stops by. In the event of an accidental poisoning or loss of consciousness, it could be too late.

#4: Less stressful than travel. No one wants to leave a beloved pet behind for holidays. However, long road trips or plane flights can be extremely stressful for pets. Your pet will be much happier staying in the familiar comfort of our vet hospital, rather than traveling to new and confusing places. Air travel also puts pets at unnecessary risk for health complications. Also, certain restrictions may apply for when you are traveling with your pet. Are you welcoming out of town guests? Consider boarding if your pet is anxious around new people.

The excitement about adopting a new pet can sometimes overwhelm a potential pet owner's ability to objectively evaluate their situation. Before you bring a dog or cat into your home as a new member of your family, our animal hospital in Canton recommends that you carefully answer the following questions.

Can you provide the proper preventative care?Pet vaccinations and regular checkups are a must for all dogs and cats. We also recommend spay and neuter surgery to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to help lower the risk of reproductive diseases in pets. Your pet will also need routine dental exams and cleanings to help him maintain good oral health. It will be your responsibility to provide this necessary care.

What about illnesses or injuries? A sick or injured pet will need prompt professional care, so you must be willing and able to transport him to the veterinary hospital and invest in his treatment, medications and recuperation. If your current financial situation does not allow you to make that commitment, you may want to reconsider getting a pet.

Will your pet and your home be a good fit? Some landlords may not allow pets at all, while others may be too small for a large dog or too noisy for a sensitive cat. If your children are too young to understand how to play with a pet without harming him, you may need to wait until they grow a little older. You will also need to pet-proof your Canton home by tucking wires out of the way, putting any potential toxins behind locked cabinet doors, and possibly using toddler gates to block off certain rooms.

Our Animal Hospital Can Make It Easier

If you do decide to adopt a pet, you can rely on Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic for all your Canton pet services. We provide pet vaccinations, pet spay and neuter surgery, emergency treatment and other critical pet services to help you provide a healthy life for a very lucky dog or cat.

We consider education one of the important pet services we provide here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. So here are a few ways owners can pet proof their homes for an animal-friendly household:

Hide wires, cords and cables. Curious pets who try to chew on or play with loose wiring can electrocute themselves or knock over an attached component, causing injuries that might require pet surgery.

Have a pet-friendly holiday. When trimming your tree, try not to let lights, decorations and tinsel hang low enough for pets to get into them. As mentioned above, electrical wiring can electrocute your pet, while tinsel can cause serious digestive issues if swallowed. If you are traveling this holiday season, have our boarding facility look after your pet until you return.

Restrict access to potential toxins. Hide pesticides, medicines and household cleaners behind locking cabinet doors. Even certain foods harmless to humans, such as chocolate, can seriously harm animals. Clear foodstuffs off of kitchen counters and pick up any crumbs or spills immediately.

Check your driveway. Automotive fluids can be deadly if ingested, so if your vehicle is leaking fluids onto your driveway or garage floor, clean them up and have the leaks fixed. Always check underneath your car for reclining animals before backing out and driving away.

Install toddler safety gates. These gates are easily to open and close, unless you happen to be a baby or a pet, enabling you to block off certain rooms as needed. For instance, you could add a gate to a nook containing your trashcans so your pet cannot topple the trashcans over and feed on the contents.

Trouble? Contact Our Canton Veterinarians

If your pet gets into trouble even after you have pet-proofed your home, stay calm -- our Canton veterinarians can help. You can also rely on us for emergency care, boarding, grooming and other pet services to keep your pet safe and sound.

What pet proofing measures have you already taken? Share them with our readers!

Why is it so important to prevent obesity in your pet? Here are four reasons from our staff at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic:

1. Obesity contributes to organ damage. Excess weight is a contributing factor in kidney failure, liver damage and cardiovascular problems that require extra care from our Canton veterinarian. Pets can get high blood pressure and diabetes just as humans can, and obesity is a known trigger for these chronic health issues.

2. Obesity increases cancer risk. Extra weight impairs the immune system, which is tasked with destroying pre-cancerous cells before they can grow into full-blown cancer. Obese pets lack this resistance and therefore have a higher risk of cancer than the general pet population -- 50 percent higher, in the case of dogs. While our vet hospital can treat many forms of cancer, prevention makes much more sense.

3. Extra weight means extra joint trouble. The additional strain those extra pounds place on your pet’s joints may put him at a higher risk for soft tissue injuries such as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A torn ACL typically requires surgery and other pet services to repair and rehabilitate. Overweight pets are also more prone to degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

4. Your pet may not live a full lifespan. Obese pets live an average of 2.5 years less than the average life expectancy for their respective breeds. No owner wants to lose a beloved family member prematurely due to improper care and feeding. A pet who enjoys a healthy weight level will also enjoy activities more easily and feel better from day to day.

Ask Our Vet Hospital in Canton for Help!

Our Ball Ground and Canton veterinarians will be happy to help your pet lose weight through a smart, healthy wellness plan. The right combination of diet exercise can work wonders. Remember, a slimmer pet is a healthier pet!

Grooming not only makes for a cleaner, nicer-smelling dog or cat, but it also provides important health and wellness benefits. Regular bathing and brushing removes irritants that can lead to infection, while regular nail trimming can prevent injury to your pet’s toes (and furniture!). Here are some basic home grooming procedures and techniques from our staff:

Bathing - Always bathe your pet with a mild, pet-friendly shampoo after first brushing his hair gently but thoroughly. Wet him down carefully, then rub the shampoo in and work backwards from the head, rinsing as you go. Take care not to get water or shampoo in your pet’s nose, eyes or ears.

Brushing - Shorthaired pets may only need an occasional going over with a bristle brush and a cloth, but longhaired breeds usually require daily removal of mats and tangles, followed by brushing from head to tail. We can show you proper brushing technique as one of our many pet services.

Face and ear cleaning - Some breeds have faces full of wrinkles or folds, and you need to wash these areas out with a clean, damp cloth on a regular basis. Regular ear cleaning is another important part of your Canton pet grooming routine, because it can help prevent infections and dirt or wax buildup. Use a lightly moistened cotton ball to remove ear wax.

Nail trimming - You may have to accustom your Canton pet to the feeling of having his toes touched before you can trim his nails. Make sure you use a sharp clipper made for trimming animals’ nails and use an angled approach to cut the tips of the nails off. Watch out for the quick, a vein attached to the nail, or you may injure your pet.

Our Animal Hospital Also Grooms!

Supplement your home grooming with professional pet grooming here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic. Our skilled staff can spot skin, nail, eye or ear problems and treat them before they get worse.

Does your pet love or hate bathing? Share your tales from the tub!

]]>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:40:19 -0700http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_17124_how_to_brush_your_pets_teeth_in_4_easy_steps.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_17124_how_to_brush_your_pets_teeth_in_4_easy_steps.htmlWhat would happen if you never brushed your teeth? Not only would you suffer from a terrible case of bad breath, but plaque deposits could lead to gum disease and serious health problems. This is exactly what can happen to your pet if you do not brush his teeth.

Regular brushing is an easy and effective way to prevent plaque build-up and control bad breath. Together with our Ball Ground and Canton pet dentistry services, at-home dental care will keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.

If you have never brushed your pet’s teeth before, don't worry. A compassionate touch and patience will help your pet learn to love a regular brushing session. Follow these tips from your Canton veterinarians and pet dentist.

Canton Veterinary Clinic Pet Tooth Brushing Guide

1. Pick the right tools and time. Our pet dentist recommends picking a time in the evening when your pet is calm and relaxed. Be sure to use a toothbrush specially made for pets (the brushes will be softer and angled) as well as pet-friendly toothpaste.

2. Start small. Begin by introducing your pet to the sensation of having her gums rubbed. Put a small dab of toothpaste on your finger and rub it along the upper gums and teeth. It may take several sessions for your pet to feel comfortable. Your pet should enjoy the toothpaste flavor; if she refuses to lick it, try a different flavor like peanut butter or poultry. This way, your pet will see the paste as a treat.

3. Introduce the toothbrush. Once your pet is used to the toothpaste and light pressure from your finger, introduce the toothbrush. Lift the upper lip and place the brush at a 45-degree angle, which is ideal for removing plaque.

4. Focus on plaque. Plaque tends to build up along the outside of the back teeth. It may take several brushing sessions before your pet allows you to reach this area. Always reward your pet with positive affection.

If your dog or cat scratches himself constantly, pay attention -- it could mean that he is struggling with some unwelcome passengers, namely fleas and ticks. These parasitic creatures attach themselves to your pet and live off of his blood supply. In extreme cases your pet can grow dangerously anemic. To make matters worse, these intruders transmit a variety of harmful diseases and/or other parasites. Fleas, for instance, can cause allergic dermatitis and other skin problems, while ticks can spread disabling Lyme disease.

For these reasons, our animal clinic strongly urges pet owners to take preventative measures against fleas and ticks all year long. For pets suffering from flea and tick issues, veterinarians often have to fight these infestations with a constant barrage of dips, sprays, powders and other treatments. The treatments we recommend, however, focus on preventing such infestations from occurring in the first place. These treatments may come in the form of either topical formulas or oral medicines. Some preventative medications kill the adult pests before they can lay eggs, while others prevent the eggs from hatching. We can prescribe monthly rounds of flea and tick preventatives as one of our standard veterinary services. Pet grooming can also prove highly useful for detecting any signs of a potential infestation from the earliest stages, enabling us to stop it in its tracks.

Our Veterinary Clinic Offers Wellness Plans

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we make it easier than ever for pet owners to protect their pets against fleas and ticks throughout the year. Our pet wellness plans include such essentials for flea and tick prevention as regular checkups, grooming services and preventative medications -- not to mention a host of other important pet services such as Canton pet vaccinations, dental care and more. Choose from the Puppy & Kitten Plan, Adult Plan or Senior Plan and save money while freeing your pet from itching, irritation and pest-borne diseases. Your pet deserves no less!

Have you ever dealt with a major flea or tick infestation on a pet? What treatments worked best?

Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic offers many pet services to keep pets healthy, but we also believe in providing information to keep pets from becoming ill in the first place. With summer approaching, here are tips from our animal hospital to help avoid heatstroke:

1. Think of your pet as a small child and act accordingly: Some pet owners believe pets are different than people and don't think things through properly when it comes to taking care of them. If you think of your pet as a small child, you're more likely to take protective actions to prevent harm. For example, you wouldn't leave your small child in a locked car or out in the sun on a hot day, so don't do it to your pet.

2. Always have plenty of water available: Provide plenty of cool drinking water whenever your pet is outside. If you take a walk or exercise with your pets, have extra water just for them.

3. Think about the amount of exercise you're giving your pet: Many pets just want to please their owners and will do what they are asked, even if it is hurting them. Take care not to exercise your pet to the point of exhaustion, and try to make sure any exercise is performed early in the morning or later in the evening, when the temperatures may be cooler.

Certain breeds, such as those with shorter noses, are even more susceptible to heat and you'll need to watch them very closely.

Signs of Heatstroke

If your pet is showing symptoms such as heavy panting, excessive lethargy, thick saliva, or disorientation, he may be suffering from heatstroke. Move your pet out of the heat and place cool rags around his feet and head. Call our animal hospital immediately for further instructions from our veterinarians. You can get answers from the pet services staff at Acres Mill Veterinary
Clinic, "Where quality care and excellent customer service go paw in
hand."

What questions do you have about how heatstroke could affect your pets this summer?

Pet vaccinations at our Canton animal hospital protect both pets and people from severe and deadly diseases. Here in Georgia, as in most other states, rabies vaccinations are the law, and with good reason. Rabies is almost always deadly, but pet vaccination laws around America have made domestic animal and human rabies infections very rare. But rabies is only one of the dangerous, contagious diseases pets here and in Ball Ground can avoid, simply by staying current on vaccinations.

Canton Veterinarians Advise on Pet Vaccinations

Our Canton veterinarians vaccinate pets against several diseases including Distemper, Parvovirus, Bordetella (kennel cough, which can easily spread when boarding a pet), and even canine flu and feline leukemia. These are all highly contagious, painful and even deadly diseases that can be prevented by pet vaccinations. We also recommend that pets who travel, visit dog parks or are boarded regularly discuss additional vaccinations with our veterinarians. Most pet boarding facilities and customs officials (for pets that travel abroad) require proof of vaccinations, for example.

Our animal hospital staff vaccinate a pet by injecting a serum under the skin, which is composed of either a dead or deactivated virus or bacteria. The pet's immune system then goes to work, first identifying the deactivated invaders, and then building up its store of antibodies that can ward off that specific pathogen. If a pet comes into contact with that disease in the future, its body can neutralize the germs before the illness can spread.

Our entire vet services team recommends that all families with pets here and in the Ball Ground area come in to have their pets' vaccination records checked and updated. Our veterinarians can discuss any concerns you may have, and also suggest vaccinations that may be necessary to protect your pet in certain situations. It is essential for the health of your pet and your human family members!

When was the last time you looked at your pet's shot records? Are they current?

If you have owned dogs or cats for any length of time, you understand how many common traits these animals share with humans. Unfortunately, these common traits include many shared ailments. One of these ailments, periodontal disease, can have a profound impact on the health of humans and animals alike.

What Causes Pet Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease occurs when food particles mix with saliva to form plaque at the gum line. This plaque eventually hardens into a mineralized substance known as tartar, irritating the gums and eventually infiltrating the space between the teeth and surrounding tissues underneath the gum line. The bacteria then proceeds to destroy the connective tissues that hold the teeth in place while allowing infections and abscesses to develop.

Periodontal disease can cause your pet considerable pain and interfere with his ability to eat, especially if he starts losing teeth to the disease. To make matters worse, the bacteria can find its way to your pet's internal organs, leading to serious or even fatal damage. You can give your pet chew toys or brush his teeth with specially-formulated toothpastes to reduce the risk of periodontal disease, but you should also schedule annual dental examinations at our veterinary hospital. Our veterinarians can detect early signs of trouble and clean your pet's teeth more deeply than a toothbrush can manage.

Professional Pet Dentistry for Canton and Beyond

If your Canton, Ball Ground or Holly Springs pets need an experienced pet dentist to check their teeth and gums and perform any necessary dental procedures, bring them to our veterinary hospital here at Acres Mills Veterinary Clinic. We know how to put your pets at ease in a relaxed environment (including the option of sedation) while we perform checkups and remove built-up tartar from teeth, reducing the risk of periodontal disease. We can also treat existing periodontal disease and perform extractions, root canals or other procedures that can make a critical difference in any pet's long-term health and quality of life.

What kind of dental routine does your pet receive? Share the details with our readers!

In recognition of April as Heartworm Awareness Month, Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic is offering a free well check examination to determine if your pet if healthy enough to receive an injection of the preventive medication, ProHeart 6. This fee waiver is available in April only and does not apply to exams for a sick or injured pet - only for those pets who will be receiving the ProHeart 6 injection. Call our clinic at 770-383-1182 for full details on this offer.

Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease which is transmitted to your pet by a mosquito that is carrying blood from another animal which is already infected. These parasitic worms can cause extensive injury when they find a home in the arteries of your pet's lungs and occasionally in the heart. The heartworms can survive for five to seven years. Cats and dogs of any breed or age are susceptible and need to be protected.

Protect Your Pets at Our Animal Hospital

Our Canton veterinary hospital is one of a limited number of veterinary facilities that offers the ProHeart 6 injection. This unique product includes a sustained release system that provides up to six months of protection. Because ProHeart 6 should only be administered to healthy pets that are able to tolerate the medication, our veterinary hospital will waive the cost of the exam fee and provide a free heartworm test when pet owners schedule their pets to receive ProHeart 6.

If our veterinarian determines that your pet is not eligible for ProHeart 6, we will still perform the free heartworm test. Our clinic will not charge for the visit if your pet receives six months of Trifexis or twelve months of HEARTGARD. If you do not proceed with either of these Heartworm prevention options, we will only charge a recheck exam fee and not the full exam fee.

What questions do you have about heartworm and its effect on your pets? Call our animal hospital at 770-383-1182 for more information because Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic is "Where quality care and excellent customer service go paw in hand."

One of the many Canton pet services we offer at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic is professional pet boarding. Pet owners may need to board their pets for many different reasons. Some pet owners choose our boarding services as they are having renovations completed around the house or are expecting a lot of company, both of which might prove stressful for a pet. Other pet owners board their pets with us because they can't take their pets along when they travel and don't want to leave them home alone all day with a friend or neighbor.

Professional Pet Services for our Boarding Visitors

If you're thinking about leaving your pets in somebody else's care for any length of time, below are 5 reasons why you should consider leaving them with our petcare professionals.

1. We provide a clean, healthy environment. We make sure our kennel area is clean and that all animals have received their proper pet vaccinations so your pet's risk of contracting diseases is greatly reduced.

2. Medications are administered properly. If your pet is on any type of medication, we make sure those medications are administered at the proper times in the correct doses.

3. A watchful eye. If your pet should become ill during his or her stay, our kennel personnel will notify one of our Canton veterinarians on staff who will administer necessary treatments.

4. Convenience for you. If your pets should require any grooming services or routine veterinary care, we can schedule those to be completed during his or her stay.

5. We care about wellness. We'll also make sure to adhere to any dietary guidelines for your pet and schedule in regular exercise time for their health.

The ASPCA estimates that anywhere from 5 to 7 million dogs and cats inundate shelters every year, and that 3 to 4 million of them must be euthanized. Those statistics alone should help pet owners make the compassionate decision to have their pets spayed or neutered. Our Canton veterinary hospital, which also serves Ball Ground and Holly Springs, provides high-quality spay and neuter surgeries that can vastly improve your pet's quality of life while doing good things for the community at large.

Three Reasons for Spay and Neuter Animal Surgery

1. Preventing over population: Spay or neuter animal surgery prevents overpopulation and unnecessary suffering. Shelters around the country struggle to find homes for all of the lost and surrendered pets they receive, but with limited resources, they are forced to make difficult decisions.

2. Reducing cancer risk: Cancers of the reproductive systems are much more common in pets that have not been spayed or neutered. Spay surgery also helps reduce or eliminate the incidence of uterine infections in female pets.

3. Improved behavior: When un-neutered male dogs detect the presence of a female in heat anywhere close by, they will do almost anything to escape the yard or house; this includes becoming aggressive, damaging property and possibly putting themselves in harm's way if they do get out. Un-neutered cats, on the other hand, are notorious for spraying houses with urine. Male pets that are neutered are much easier to live with. They are easier to train, more obedient, more relaxed, and less likely to risk it all by running out into traffic in their desperate search for a mate.

The experienced, compassionate team of veterinarians and animal hospital staff here at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic make spay or neuter surgery as accessible for you and your pet as possible. With advanced surgical technology and pain management procedures, this is an easy and affordable way to do something wonderful for your pet, your family and your community.

Question for pet owners: What differences did you notice in your pets' behavior after it was spayed or neutered?

When was the last time you took your cat or dog to visit the veterinarian? Was it because your pet was ill or do you make a point of visiting the animal hospital for regular wellness visits? Our veterinarians want pet owners to know that wellness care is the cornerstone to keeping your pet happy and healthy.

Benefits of Wellness Pet Care

It may not seem necessary to take your pet to the vet once a year for a check-up when he or she seems perfectly healthy. However, such preventative care visits can detect potentially serious health problems early when they are easier--and less expensive--to treat. Regular vaccines also help your pet fight off serious diseases that can strike even indoors pets or even infect your family members. Even if your dog or cat stays inside, he or she can come into contact with another dog, cat, or disease carrying rodent. The most effective way to combat disease and infection is through preventative care and routine vaccinations.

Wellness Care at Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic

At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, Georgia, we stress to all of our pet owners the importance of wellness visits. Such visits allow us to offer preventative vet services, such as vaccines and professional dental cleanings. Our annual exams include an array of pet services, including a full physical exam, diagnostic blood work and a fecal sample to test for disease. Our experienced and caring veterinarians treat animals from puppies and kittens to senior dogs and cats.

Our state-of-the-art vet clinic serves patients in Canton, Cherokee and throughout north-central Georgia. In addition to wellness pet services, we offer dog and cat boarding as well as emergency care. We are open six days a week and keep early morning and early evening hours to help fit into your busy schedule.

How do you keep up on regular wellness vet visits for your pets? What other steps do you take at home to ensure your pet's health?

Maintaining good pet dental health is an important part of your pet's overall health - from brushing to offering appropriate chewing toys. Caring for your pet's teeth can help prevent some conditions, and alert you to the existence of others. At Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic, we're here to help you maintain your pet's oral health, both through home dental care and through professional oral care from our pet dentist.

Why Pet Dental Care is Important

According to the ASPCA, 85% of dogs and cats suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Keeping up with your pet's dental care with regular visits to a veterinary clinic for routine dental pet services can make your dog or cat one of the lucky 15 percent who remain trouble-free.

Our veterinarians recommend you brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis for best results, and use animal-friendly products including pet specific toothpaste and toothbrushes. That staff at our cat and dog hospital are able to provide suggestions for good quality dental products. Check with our pet dentist for details and tips for how to brush your pet's teeth. Regular brushing can quickly become part of your grooming routine and be an enjoyable activity for your pet.

Offering the right kind of chew toys can help clean your pet's teeth while he chews. Select toys that are veterinarian-approved for dental care for helping maintain your pet's oral health. A good chew toy can help satisfy your pet's natural urge to chew while maintaining dental health at the same time.

If you suspect your pet is developing an oral problem, make an appointment to bring him to our vet hospital today. Waiting until your annual exam may cause the problem to worsen over time, and result in complications and more costly vet hospital care.

We'd love to know: What tips can you share with other pet owners about home pet dental care?

Many pets love to roam free and roll in the grass, but you may not love the sight or smell of them after a few such ventures. And nothing can make your heart sink quite like the sight of toenail marks on a new wood floor. Grooming can definitely help save your sanity as a pet owner -- and at Acres Mills Veterinary Clinic, we consider it among the essential vet services for maintaining an animal's health and wellness. Here are some of the ways your pet can benefit from regular professional grooming:

Skin health - A pet's skin can suffer greatly from mites, fleas, ticks and other pests. These pests grab onto the fur and make a home on your animal's skin, causing pets to scratch and bite at the skin, which can expose the skin to infections. The pests can also transfer Lyme and other diseases directly through their bite. Matted hair can also trap skin oil, attracting bacteria. A groomer can check for these unwanted guests while giving the veterinarian a close-up look at the ears and skin, if needed.

Toenail health - Animals' toenails grow rapidly because they were originally developed for rough terrain, not for civilized indoor environments. Overgrown nails can cause pain for your pets and damage to your floors. A groomer will trim the nails to the proper length and help pets avoid ingrown nails.

Climate control - A shaggy animal can also become an overheated animal, especially if he or she spends time outdoors in the summer months. Some breeds of dogs and cats are more prone than others to heat stroke, but a nice lion cut or shave can allow air to cool the skin and prevent an emergency trip to the veterinary hospital.

Our Animal Clinic Provides Experienced Grooming

We groom pets as part of our full range of vet services. Our animal clinic can check eyes, ears, skin and nails, give baths, perform trims and address any health issues we find along the way.

Ever give your Canton or Cherokee pet a super-stylish cut or shave? Tell us about it -- or show us!

]]>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:14:37 -0800http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_10945_we_have_a_new_vet_service_blogging.html
http://acresmillvet.com/blog/b_10945_we_have_a_new_vet_service_blogging.htmlWelcome to Acres Mill Veterinary ClinicAt Acres Mill Veterinary Clinic in Canton, Georgia, the health of your pet comes first. We offer services that keep your pet healthy, such as primary care and vaccinations as well as pet grooming and dentistry. In addition to providing experienced veterinary care, we have started this blog as a way to further educate pet owners about pet health issues and pet care.

Primary Care at Our Veterinary HospitalOur veterinary hospital offers a range of primary care services to keep your pet in top shape. If your pet needs vaccinations, we can put together a vaccination package for him that is appropriate for their lifestyle. We also offer spay and neuter services as well as dentistry services to keep your pet's teeth in good shape. Our Canton veterinarians care for a range of animals, from cats and dogs to rabbits and small farm animals.

In addition to standard pet services, we also offer pet acupuncture, which is used for pain management in pets. Acupuncture also helps treat liver and kidney disease in your pets. If you are interested in exploring acupuncture for your pets, talk to one of our veterinarians about the procedure.

Surgery and Urgent Care at Our Animal Hospital

Acre Mill Veterinary Clinic and animal hospital also performs surgery as needed on pets. Our full time vet, Dr. Michele Stewart, has a special interest in performing orthopedic surgery. We also offer declawing surgery. Should your pet experience an emergency, such as eating chocolate or other dangerous foods, our staff is on call 6 days a week to treat him. We'll also attempt to see pets who need medical attention but aren't experiencing an emergency between scheduled appointments.

Boarding and Grooming

If you need someone to care for your pet while you are away, our clinic offers pet boarding. We have a staff of trained individuals who will make sure your pet is well fed and well cared for during his stay. Our clinic also has trained groomers on staff who will bathe your pet and trim his hair and nails as needed.

Do you have a question about our services or pet care in general? Is there a particular topic you would like us to discuss? Let us know.